Former Governor Enters Race to Challenge Incumbent for Maine’s 2nd District

Legislative chamber filled with people during a session

Former Maine Governor Paul LePage has officially launched his campaign for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, challenging Democratic incumbent Jared Golden with promises to bring straight talk and business experience to Washington.

Quick Takes

LePage filed paperwork forming “Paul LePage for Congress” to challenge four-term Democratic Congressman Jared Golden.
The former governor is campaigning on opposition to “entrenched interests” fighting President Trump, cutting wasteful spending, and protecting Second Amendment rights.
LePage returns to politics after losing his 2022 gubernatorial comeback bid against Janet Mills, having previously said he was “done with politics.”
The race could be one of the nation’s most competitive, with Golden winning his last election by fewer than 3,000 votes.
Golden is reportedly considering vacating the seat to run for governor as Janet Mills reaches her term limit.

Former Governor Makes Congressional Bid Official

Paul LePage, the controversial former two-term governor of Maine, has officially entered the race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. LePage filed his candidacy paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, forming both “Paul LePage for Congress” and the “LEPAGE VICTORY FUND” as affiliated organizations. The move marks a significant return to politics for LePage, who served as Maine’s governor from 2011 to 2019 before losing a comeback bid against Janet Mills in 2022. Republican National Committee member David Whitney first hinted at the announcement on social media, with LePage’s longtime strategist Brent Littlefield confirming that more details would be forthcoming.

LePage made a formal announcement on his Facebook page after meeting with residents in Eastport, where he outlined his case for challenging incumbent Democratic Representative Jared Golden. The former governor, who previously served as a city councilor and mayor of Waterville before becoming governor, is betting that his name recognition and experience will help Republicans flip a district that has become increasingly competitive in recent years. Golden has held the seat through several close races, winning his last election by fewer than 3,000 votes.

Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage has announced he is running for Congress. “I do not need a job, I am running to protect our Maine jobs,” he said. https://t.co/HJUzELRmex

— CBS 13 News (@WGME) May 5, 2025

LePage’s Platform and Political Return

In his announcement, LePage positioned himself as an ally to President Trump against what he called “entrenched interests” in Washington. “The entrenched interests are fighting President Trump at every turn as he works to fix problems. We need more straight talk to help take back Washington,” LePage stated in his campaign announcement. He emphasized his business background, promising to bring real-world experience to Congress at a time when Americans are struggling with inflation and economic challenges.

The former governor’s decision comes after he publicly stated he was “done with politics” following his 2022 electoral defeat. After leaving office in 2019 due to term limits, LePage had primarily resided in Florida, though he later re-established residency in Maine ahead of his unsuccessful gubernatorial run. That campaign ended with LePage receiving 42.4% of the vote compared to Mills’ 55.7%. His new congressional bid appears to contradict his previous retirement from political life, suggesting the opportunity to potentially flip the seat was too significant to ignore.

A High-Stakes Political Battleground

LePage’s entry into the race comes at a pivotal moment for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Sources indicate that incumbent Jared Golden is considering vacating the seat to run for governor when Janet Mills reaches her term limit. Golden, who has developed a reputation as one of the more moderate Democrats in Congress, has navigated the politically diverse district through four terms, though his margins of victory have remained narrow. Political analysts note that if Golden leaves the seat open, Republicans would be favored to win, particularly with a high-profile candidate like LePage in the race.

During his time as governor, LePage achieved significant policy victories despite his controversial style, including reducing income taxes, cutting welfare rolls, and shrinking the size of state government. However, he was also known for his divisive politics and rejection of political correctness, which led to clashes with Democrats, the media, and various interest groups. These same qualities that made him a polarizing figure during his governorship could become central themes in what promises to be one of the nation’s most watched congressional races in 2026.