Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap on Monday launched a primary challenge against moderate Democratic Rep. Jared Golden in a race that could directly affect the party’s hopes of winning a House majority next year.
The showdown in Maine’s right-leaning 2nd Congressional District will likely draw national attention as a referendum on whether Democrats’ rank-and-file voters will continue to back candidates who break from the party on some key votes — or if they will take an electoral risk on a candidate they think better represents their values.
Dunlap’s announcement ends months of speculation about whether he’ll take on the incumbent. In an interview, he told NOTUS that he planned to make Golden’s willingness to side with Republicans a centerpiece of his campaign.