Former Maine Governor Paul LePage, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump and a divisive figure in state politics, announced Monday that he is running for Congress in Maine’s highly competitive 2nd Congressional District.
Why It Matters
LePage, a Republican who served as governor from 2011 to 2019 and lost a bid to return in 2022, filed paperwork late Sunday to challenge Democratic Rep. Jared Golden. The district is considered a political battleground, having elected Golden four times while also backing Trump in three consecutive presidential elections.
What to Know
At 76, LePage reenters the political arena with a controversial legacy. As governor, he gained national notoriety for inflammatory remarks, including suggesting that out-of-state drug dealers were impregnating “young white” girls, and comparing a political rival’s behavior to abuse “without providing Vaseline.” He once branded himself as “Donald Trump before Donald Trump became popular” and endorsed Trump early in his 2016 campaign.
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Associated Press
Although he downplayed his ties to Trump during his unsuccessful 2022 gubernatorial run, LePage reaffirmed his support for the former president in a statement Monday, saying:
“Entrenched interests are fighting President Trump at every turn as he works to fix problems.” He also pledged to combat “extreme woke policies that defy common sense,” defend Second Amendment rights, and focus on job creation.
Golden, 42, who served in the Maine House during part of LePage’s tenure as governor, responded with a jab in a Monday statement: “I thought Paul was doing his best work in retirement.”
A spokesperson for Golden told the Associated Press the congressman remains focused on supporting Maine’s fishing industry, protecting jobs at Bath Iron Works shipyard and opposing GOP-led health care cuts.
After leaving office in 2019, LePage briefly relocated to Florida before re-establishing residency in Maine. His 2022 challenge to Democratic Governor Janet Mills, had it been successful, would have made him Maine’s longest-serving governor.
Overall, more than a dozen members of Congress have already announced they will not seek reelection in 2026, setting the stage for what could be a transformative midterm election cycle, with control of both chambers hanging in the balance.
What People Are Saying
Maureen O’Toole, National Republican Congressional Committee eastern regional press secretary, told Newsweek via email: “Republicans will win here next year whether this race is against Jared Golden or any other out of touch Democrat. Mainers are sick and tired of Democrats’ radical agenda that raises taxes, puts criminal illegal immigrants first, and prioritizes far-left gender ideology over common sense.”
In his 2022 campaign, LePage distanced himself from Donald Trump—then under fire following the January 6 Capitol riot. He told The Atlantic, “Life is a journey. And along the way you learn, and you get better, and hope that every day, the rest of my life, I’m a better man.”
What’s Next
Regardless of the final candidate lineup, the 2nd Congressional District race in 2026 is expected to draw national attention, as Republicans seek to maintain their narrow House majority. Golden narrowly fended off Republican Austin Theriault in the last election, highlighting the district’s razor-thin margins.
Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this story.
Update: 5/5/25, 1:23 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 5/5/25, 7:13 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
