Former Gov. LePage to run for Maine's 2nd congressional seat

(The Center Square) — Firebrand Maine Republican Paul LePage is seeking a return to politics with a challenge to Democratic Rep. Jared Golden in next year's midterm elections.

LaPage, 76, filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission on Sunday to run for the state's 2nd Congressional District in the November 2026 elections. Golden, a "blue dog" Democrat serving a fourth term, hasn't said whether he will seek reelection. 

In a statement, LePage said he doesn't "need a job" but is running to give Maine a "new voice" in Washington, D.C., and help Republican President Donald Trump implement his agenda to "fix" the federal government. 

"We need more straight talk to help take back Washington," LePage posted on social media Monday. "We need more real-world business experience, those who know how to create jobs. We need people who understand what it’s like to struggle, why inflation hurts. We need people who will fight the extreme woke policies that defy common sense and force girls into unfair sports competitions."

LePage, a Lewiston native who served two terms as Maine's governor from 2011 to 2019, was known for his bombastic rhetoric and policies, at one point telling reporters that he was "Donald Trump before Donald Trump became popular." 

He fended off a failed impeachment effort by Democrats when he was in office, feuded with neighboring Massachusetts over cross-border drug trafficking, and lost his bid for a third term against Gov. Janet Mills in the November 2022 elections after coming out of retirement in Florida.

"I thought Paul was doing his best work in retirement," Golden's spokesperson said in a statement in response to his candidacy. "Congressman Golden is busy fighting the GOP’s health care cuts and working through his committees to secure jobs for Bath Iron Works and protect Maine’s fishing communities. The next election is the furthest thing from his mind."

The 2nd District, one of Maine’s two congressional seats, is considered competitive and closely watched by political observers as Republicans push to retake the House of Representatives in the midterms. Golden was elected to a fourth term in last year's election, after narrowly beating Republican challenger Austin Theriault in a ranked-choice tabulation. 

Former Republican President Donald Trump carried the 2nd District handily in the 2020 elections, peeling off one of the state's four electoral votes. Trump also carried the district in the Nov. 5 elections. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rated the congressional district a "toss-up" in the midterm election. 

Republicans view the race as an opportunity to widen their control of Congress and win down-ballot races in next year's midterm elections. The state's Republican Party chairman, Jim Deyermond, praised LePage's decision to jump into the congressional race, predicting that it "will no longer be in Democrat hands in 2026."

“There are more registered Republicans than Democrats now in Maine’s 2nd District, an advantage of almost 31,000 registered voters." Deyermond said in a statement. "Hundreds of volunteers have poured thousands of hours into helping President Trump win this District and they will now focus on ensuring he has a Republican ally representing this seat."