Golden: I won’t seek reelection. Here’s why.

By U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine

After much deliberation, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2026. 

I am forever grateful for the honor of serving my constituents in Congress, and proud of what I’ve accomplished for Maine. But recently, it became clear that now is the right time to step away from elected office.

I have never loved politics. But I find purpose and meaning in service, and the Marine in me has been able to slog along through the many aspects of politics I dislike by focusing on the good work that Congress is capable of producing with patience and determination.

But after 11 years as a legislator, I have grown tired of the increasing incivility and plain nastiness that are now common from some elements of our American community — behavior that, too often, our political leaders exhibit themselves. My team and I have strived to stay above the fray and, for that, we can hold our heads high with appreciation for each other and the way we have gone about our work.

Additionally, recent incidents of political violence have made me reassess the frequent threats against me and my family. Last year we saw attempts against Donald Trump’s life, and more recently we witnessed the firebombing of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home, the assasination of Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota and the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk. 

These have made me reconsider the experiences of my own family, including all of us sitting in a hotel room on Thanksgiving last year after yet another threat against our home. There have been enough of those over the years to demand my attention.

Up to now, my daughters have been insulated from the worst of it by their youth. But as my oldest daughter reaches school age, the threats, the intolerance and hate that often dominate political culture, and my long absences, will be more keenly felt. As a father, I have to consider whether the good I can achieve outweighs everything my family endures as a result.

Beyond these family considerations, my decision is motivated by the clarity recent months have provided about the state of our politics. This week, we passed a grim milestone, having endured the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history. This unnecessary, harmful shutdown and the nonstop, hyperbolic accusations and recriminations by both sides reveal just how broken Congress has become. 

With that in mind, my calculus is straightforward: I know that if I were to continue my campaign, I would prevail. My record of winning the most challenging district held by any Democrat — of outperforming the top and bottom of the ticket four times — speaks for itself. Regardless of what angry partisan commentators may say, I retain the trust of the coalition of Democrats, independents and Republicans that has repeatedly defied the trends of political polarization by electing me.

I don’t fear losing. What has become apparent to me is that I now dread the prospect of winning. Simply put, what I could accomplish in this increasingly unproductive Congress pales in comparison to what I could do in that time as a husband, a father and a son.

I have long supported term limits and while current law allows me to run again, I like the idea of ending my service in Congress after eight years — the length of term limits in the Maine Legislature. 

Our world is rapidly changing, and the torch should be passed to those with the greatest stake in the future — my generation and those who follow. I have consistently called for a new generation of leaders and I repeat that call today. My sincere hope is that by creating an open seat, my departure makes space for a competitive primary for both Democrats and Republicans, as Paul LePage and Matt Dunlap are a far cry from being standard bearers of the generations that will inherit the legacy of today’s Congress.

An open, competitive primary is the best way to ensure we have strong candidates prepared for what will undoubtedly be a tough general election. The Democratic Party just recently saw what happens when someone steps down and a new candidate is appointed untested.

Whoever wins will have a tough road ahead. I have spent almost eight years in Congress opposing the forces of polarization. This is critical to fair leadership in a district like Maine’s 2nd, where robust ideological diversity requires elected officials who are willing to represent the district as it truly exists — not as their party’s most vocal extremes might wish it did.

It’s also a moral imperative, because polarization tends to move in only one direction.

Consider recent history. We have seen mainstream Republicans stand by as their party was hijacked first by Tea Party obstructionists and then by the MAGA movement and its willingness to hand much of Congress’ authority to the president. The GOP that used to have room for people like Olympia Snowe and Bill Cohen was taken over by these waves of extremists. The party, and our country, are worse off for it.

I fear Democrats are going down the same path. We’re allowing the most extreme, pugilistic elements of our party to call the shots. Just look again at the shutdown. For as long as I can remember, we have opposed shutting down the government over policy disputes. We criticized Republicans for taking hostages this way. But this year, reeling from the losses of the last election, too many Democrats have given into demands that we use the same no-holds barred, obstructionary tactics as the GOP. 

All of this is a symptom of the larger challenge of our political culture, where social media algorithms fuel division and turn it into corporate profits; public figures weaponize our disagreements and vilify their fellow Americans; and gerrymandered districts leave most politicians more beholden to their out-of-touch base than to the average family. 

Luckily, while powerful special interests are pushing us further apart, most Americans are not hyperpartisans. In this district, as competitive as it is, it remains true that most people are neither diehard right-wingers or resistance progressives. 

The overwhelming majority recognizes that no one has a monopoly on virtue or on good ideas. We support commonsense policies from taxing the wealthy to reducing the deficit. We support the First and Second Amendments alike. We’re skeptical of the wealthy and the powerful, but we don’t demonize success. We know there’s value in hard work, and that it should be rewarded fairly. 

And most of us would prefer if our lives were not dominated by politics or by those who view Americans only as the sum of our disagreements. 

I leave Congress proud of what I’ve achieved for Mainers. I’ve succeeded in bringing substance abuse and mental health treatment beds to veterans at Togus. I’ve worked with lobstermen to protect the futures of fishing families and working waterfronts. I’ve delivered more than $52 million to deserving projects in the district, from upgrading aging water treatment facilities to supporting the next generation of loggers. And working with Maine tribes, we took important first steps to correct a decades-long injustice. 

These accomplishments reflect the best of what we can do when we channel our political energies toward service and solutions, not ego and division.

I still believe, perhaps more than ever, that politics can be a positive force. But having devoted decades of my life to service, I look forward to my next chapter: raising my young daughters with Izzy — who has shouldered more than her fair share of caring for our family and our home for years — and spending more time with our family and friends.

I am forever grateful for the trust bestowed on me by my fellow Mainers in the 2nd District to be their voice in Washington. To them I can only say: Thank you.

Golden of Lewiston represents Maine’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.