AUGUSTA, ME - Former Governor Paul LePage has announced his candidacy for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, but Mainers haven’t forgotten the cuts, chaos and harmful policies of the LePage administration, nor his blatant disregard for the will of the people. 

“Paul LePage blocked health care, undermined workers, and turned his back on everyday Mainers. Refusing to work with the legislature, he vetoed more bills than any other governor, repeatedly embarrassed our state, and failed to strengthen Maine’s economy,” said Maine Democratic Party Chair Charlie Dingman. “He had eight years in office, and Mainers paid the price. With Donald Trump’s cuts and chaos hurting Mainers and our economy, the last person we need representing us in Washington is a retired politician who would rather enrich himself and his cronies than serve ordinary working Mainers.” 

As Governor, Paul LePage: 

• Blocked Medicaid expansion despite voters approving it at the ballot box, ignoring the will of the voters and denying tens of thousands of low-income Mainers health care coverage. 
• Undermined unions, weakening labor protections for workers and making it easier for corporations to treat workers unfairly by ending automatic dues collection for state employee unions and pushing so-called “right to work” policies that would have weakened collective bargaining rights in Maine.
• Opposed raising Maine’s minimum wage, prioritizing business interests over workers even as voters pushed for change. He used stalling tactics to delay or weaken wage increases that would have helped thousands of Mainers.
• Repeatedly attacked Maine’s public schools, proposing deep funding cuts and pushing policies that would divert public money to private and religious schools.  

“We’ve seen what a strong Democratic leader has meant for Mainers in CD02,” said Devon Murphy-Anderson, the Executive Director of the Maine Democratic Party. “Congressman Golden has consistently fought for hardworking Mainers and fishing families like mine by protecting access to working waterfronts, pushing back against unfair federal regulations, and securing critical funding for coastal infrastructure. As a Party, we’re investing earlier than ever to ensure voters know the impact that Democrats have had on their lives, including opening more offices in CD02 in the coming months – starting with Bangor and Lewiston.” 

In Congress, Congressman Jared Golden has also: 

• Secured over $50 million in Community Project Funding for Maine, including investments in shipbuilding, logging apprenticeships, infrastructure, and first responders
• Led a coalition of lawmakers in support of the PRO Act, a landmark bill to expand workers’ rights, protect organizing, and restore the power of collective bargaining
• Helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, lowering prescription drug costs and capping out-of-pocket Medicare expenses 

“I’m focused on fighting the GOP’s health care cuts and working through my committees to secure jobs at Bath Iron Works and protect Maine’s fishing communities,” said Congressman Jared Golden on Monday after Paul LePage’s announcement. “The next election is the furthest thing from my mind.”