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The Other Maine Event

In the vast 2nd congressional district, four primary candidates are fighting to succeed Jared Golden—and become a general-election underdog to G.O.P. former Gov. Paul LePage.

Joe Baldacci
The D.C.C.C. has backed State Sen. Joe Baldacci, whom strategists consider the most palatable moderate for the general election. Photo: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Marianna Sotomayor
June 8, 2026

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While Platner-gate dominates headlines, Maine Democrats are also closely watching the state’s vast 2nd congressional district, where four primary candidates are fighting to take on former Republican Gov. Paul LePage in the race to replace Democratic Rep. Jared Golden. A co-chair of the moderate Blue Dog Coalition, Golden was a uniquely perfect fit for a purple-ish constituency—he’s been elected three times in a district that also voted for Trump by double-digit margins.