Rep. Jared Golden Endorses Rep. Mike Lawler for Re-Election

Outgoing Representative Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine, has publicly endorsed his colleague, Republican Representative Mike Lawler from New York, for re-election. Golden expressed his support through an opinion piece as the 2026 midterm election approaches.

‘The Congress we get is the one we elect, and the country needs fewer members who treat the job as a stage and more who treat it as work,’ Golden stated. ‘In New York’s Hudson Valley this fall, that is the choice on the ballot. Mike Lawler has been a true partner to me and a friend to fishing families he will never represent. I strongly back him and hope voters send him back to work. Wherever you live, find the members who pass laws with the other party and keep them.’

Golden has been serving in the House of Representatives since early 2019. He announced last year that he would not seek re-election in 2026. Lawler, on the other hand, has been in the House since early 2023 and is currently campaigning for re-election.

‘It’s an honor and a privilege to accept the endorsement of my friend, Democratic Congressman Jared Golden,’ Lawler noted in a post on the platform X. ‘While we are from different parties and different states, Jared and I have worked during our time together in the House to find common ground on issues that matter both to us and our constituents. We share a firm belief that what’s best for the people should come before one’s party.’

Lawler is competing against Democratic candidate Cait Conley to represent New York’s 17th Congressional District. Conley, a combat veteran, has experience serving as the National Security Council director for counterterrorism and has worked with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg participated in a rally for Conley recently. He shared in a post on X that he was ‘proud to be in Cait’s corner.’

Alex Nitzberg contributed reporting to this article.