LEWISTON, Maine—Former Governor Paul LePage has officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, setting the stage for a competitive race in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. LePage, who served as Maine’s Republican governor from 2011 until 2019, is aiming to reclaim a prominent political position following his unsuccessful gubernatorial run in 2022. He filed his candidacy papers on Sunday and is looking to challenge the current Democratic Representative, Jared Golden. This district is known for its political diversity, having supported both Golden for Congress multiple times and Donald Trump for President in three previous elections.
LePage, age 76, has been a contentious figure in Maine’s political landscape, often drawing national attention with his provocative comments. As governor, he was known for making inflammatory remarks, such as his controversial statements about drug dealers and political adversaries. Claiming a political kinship with Trump, LePage described himself as embodying Trump’s brand of politics before it was popular. Despite this, during his 2022 gubernatorial campaign, his alignment with Trump was less emphasized.
In announcing his run for Congress, LePage stated his commitment to fighting “entrenched interests” that oppose Trump’s efforts to address national issues. He expressed a determination to oppose “woke” policies he views as irrational, uphold the Second Amendment, and promote job creation.
Golden, who is 42 years old, served as a state legislator during LePage’s tenure as governor. His team indicated he remains focused on fighting for Maine’s fishing industry, opposing healthcare cuts advocated by the Republicans, and securing jobs at the Bath Iron Works. In response to the announcement, Golden remarked, “I thought Paul was doing his best work in retirement.”
LePage, after briefly living in Florida post-governorship, returned to Maine, aiming once again to lead the state in 2022, a bid that would have made him the longest-serving governor in Maine’s history. Now, the contest for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District is expected to be among the nation’s most closely watched races in 2026, given the existing narrow Republican majority in the House and the district’s highly competitive nature. Golden narrowly maintained his seat against Republican Austin Theriault in the recent election, further heightening interest in the forthcoming electoral battle.