After he announced last November that he would not seek a fifth term, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden said he would use his remaining campaign funds to support Democrats in 2026.
His latest federal campaign finance report, filed Wednesday, reveals he has given some of the more than $1 million he had left in his coffers to Democratic candidates who are running for the U.S. House or Senate in states such as Texas, New Jersey and California.
The contributions from Golden, a moderate who has bucked his own party repeatedly and who cited increasing political incivility and threats against his family in opting not to seek reelection to Maine’s 2nd District, come as Democrats need to flip a few seats in both chambers to retake control of the GOP-led Congress. None of the contributions in Golden’s latest filing went to Maine candidates, and all of them went to men.
The notable candidates Golden contributed to in the period from Jan. 1 to March 31 include U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Massachusetts, who is part of a wave of younger Democrats seeking to unseat older Democratic incumbents. Moulton is challenging U.S. Sen. Ed Markey in a primary set for Sept. 1. Golden gave the maximum $2,000 to Moulton’s primary campaign.
But Golden also supported one of those older incumbents by giving $1,000 to U.S. Rep. John Larson, a 77-year-old Connecticut Democrat who for the first time in his nearly 30 years in office is facing a primary challenge from former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and others.
Golden’s contributions of either $1,000 or $2,000 are helping moderate Democrats like himself, including U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams of Utah and U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzales of Texas, a fellow “Blue Dog Democrat.”
Golden gave $1,000 to McAdams for the primary and designated an extra $2,000 for the general should McAdams make it to November. Golden made similar primary/general contributions that totaled $4,000 to U.S. Rep. Jim Costa of California and Tejano music star Bobby Pulido, who is seeking to unseat a Republican representative in South Texas.
Other Democratic candidates receiving $2,000 contributions from Golden for their primary campaigns include sheriff’s deputy Johnny Garcia in Texas, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer in New Jersey, U.S. Rep. Lou Correa in California, U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop in Georgia and firefighter Bob Brooks in Pennsylvania.
His latest federal filing also indicated Golden has been refunding various donors for their campaign contributions. His refunds total more than $737,000 since last year, per federal data. Additionally, Golden donated $25,000 to the Maine Museum of Innovation Learning and Labor in his hometown of Lewison.
His campaign ended the quarter with about $462,500 on hand. A Golden spokesperson did not provide more details Friday regarding where he plans to spend the rest of the money.
“As he’s done during his time in office, Congressman Golden will continue to support candidates and causes he believes in,” the spokesperson said.
Golden has not endorsed any of the Democrats seeking to succeed him in Maine’s 2nd District. State Auditor Matt Dunlap, state Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, ex-Capitol Hill operative Jordan Wood and University of Maine graduate student Paige Loud are competing in the June 9 primary for the chance to face the Republican contender, former Gov. Paul LePage, in November.
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