The campaign arm for Democrats in the U.S. House has formalized its support for 2nd District candidate Matt Dunlap after initially opposing his candidacy.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Thursday that it’s including Dunlap in its red-to-blue program, which will give him additional fundraising and logistical resources in his contest against former Republican Gov. Paul LePage.
Dunlap irked the group last year when he launched a primary campaign against four-term U.S. Rep. Jared Golden. The group viewed Golden as uniquely suited to hold the seat in a district that’s supported President Donald Trump, but the combat veteran had also angered some local Democrats when he predicted and downplayed the election of President Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign, as well as some votes that cut against the party mainstream.
Golden announced he would not seek reelection last November, about a month after Dunlap launched his campaign.
Dunlap, a former secretary of state and current state auditor, eventually won the June primary after a ranked-choice runoff.
The 2nd District race could be key to Democrats’ efforts to retake the U.S. House next year. So far, outside spending has been light, but that could change after Labor Day.
In 2024, spending by political action committees and party committees nearly reached $25 million, with the majority of the activity occurring after Labor Day. So far, the contest has drawn $2.4 million.
LePage, who also has the backing of national Republicans, has held a fundraising edge over Dunlap, according to Federal Election Commission filings dated June 30. Both candidates are well behind the pace set by Golden and Republican challenger Austin Theriault, who drew a combined $12 million.
This story appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.