Golden, Jared F.

Jared Forrest Golden has served as the U.S. Representative for Maine's 2nd congressional district since 2019. Born in 1982, he is a Marine Corps veteran who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. His district encompasses the northern four-fifths of Maine, including Lewiston, Bangor, Auburn, and Augusta, and is the largest congressional district east of the Mississippi River. Golden was among the first members of Congress elected through ranked-choice voting and notably won his seat after initially placing second in the first round of tabulation. He announced in November 2025 that he would not seek re-election in 2026.

Golden serves on the House Committee on Armed Services, where he focuses on seapower and projection forces and intelligence and special operations matters. He also sits on the House Committee on Natural Resources, addressing energy, mineral resources, federal lands, and water and wildlife issues. His sponsored legislation reflects his background and district interests, including measures supporting servicemembers and veterans' mental health, trade policy, and natural resource management.

Golden describes himself as a progressive conservative and has earned a reputation as an independent voice within his party. He was a co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition and has stated he has not attended Democratic caucus meetings since October 2021. His voting record frequently diverges from party leadership on major issues. He was the only Democrat to vote for a Republican government spending bill, opposed the Build Back Better Act citing concerns about tax provisions, and voted against several gun control measures before changing his position following the 2023 Lewiston shootings in his hometown. On trade policy, he has supported tariffs and introduced legislation for a universal 10 percent import tariff, positioning himself at odds with mainstream Democratic economic positions.

Golden's foreign policy positions include support for providing military aid to Ukraine and backing Israeli military operations in Gaza, having received substantial contributions from pro-Israel advocacy groups. He maintains a pro-choice voting record on abortion while taking conservative stances on immigration, voting with Republicans on the Laken Riley Act and the SAVE Act. His district, carried by Donald Trump in both 2020 and 2024, reflects the politically competitive nature of his representation.