Jared Golden Joins Growing List of Democrats Endorsing Republicans
21st September 2026
A Democrat may have just secured a midterm win for Republicans with one unexpected endorsement. House Democrat Jared Golden of Maine endorsed House Republican Mike Lawler of New York for reelection in an op-ed published in a newspaper in Lawler’s district Monday morning.
Golden published a glowing review of Lawler and their history of working together on bipartisan legislation in Congress. Since he is retiring this year and not seeking reelection, Golden is a free agent and does not have to fear party resentment.
“The Congress we get is the one we elect, and the country needs fewer members who treat the job as a stage and more who treat it as work,” Golden wrote in Lohud. “In New York’s Hudson Valley this fall, that is the choice on the ballot.”
Establishment Democrats have spent millions on this race, supporting Cait Conley to unseat Lawler. The endorsement could have undercut everything spent on Conley.