Former U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud has endorsed Matt Dunlap in his bid to replace fellow Democrat and four-term incumbent Jared Golden representing Maine’s 2nd Congressional District in 2026.
In a video announcement, Michaud, a Democrat who represented Maine 2nd District for six terms, from 2003 to 2015, called Dunlap, Maine’s state auditor, “an individual of great character and great conviction” who “won’t be influenced or bought off by lobbyists and special interests.” The winner of the primary will face former Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, next year.
“He’ll fight for you, the people of Maine,” Michaud said of Dunlap. “He’ll work for a people’s agenda — affordable health care, living wages, and a new, expanded child tax credit.”
Dunlap, a former state legislator and secretary of state who once led the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and lives in Old Town, entered the race on Oct. 6, saying that Democratic voters “want to see something different” and vowing to be an accessible member of Congress.
Dunlap first said in May he was exploring a primary challenge after he was left feeling frustrated by his conversation with Golden over the congressman’s vote for a Republican-backed bill requiring proof of citizenship when voters register for federal elections. In a campaign video, he expressed support for the progressive goal of “Medicare for all.”
In a statement, Dunlap called Michaud “a champion for Mainers” who “knows what it takes to represent the 2nd District.
“I am deeply honored to receive [Michaud’s] endorsement. Mike is a man of integrity and leadership who never backed down from a tough fight. Neither will I,” Dunlap said.
Golden’s campaign responded by noting Michaud’s 2014 loss to LePage in the governor’s race.
“When it comes to assessing who has what it takes to beat Paul LePage, I’m not sure I’d take the advice of someone with a record of losing every county in the [district] to him,” said Jordan Kathleen Burns, Golden’s campaign manager.