Jared Golden

Golden was born in Lewiston, Maine, and raised in Leeds.{{cite news |url=http://www.sunjournal.com/jared-golden-from-combat-to-candidate-for-congress |title=Jared Golden: From combat to candidate for Congress |last=Collins |first=Steve |newspaper=Sun Journal |date=September 9, 2018 |access-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-date=November 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125140752/http://www.sunjournal.com/jared-golden-from-combat-to-candidate-for-congress/ |url-status=dead }} He attended Leavitt Area High School before enrolling at the University of Maine at Farmington, but left after a year to join the United States Marine Corps in 2002.

Golden served with the 3rd Battalion of the 6th Marines, completing two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He rose to the rank of corporal and received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his performance during Operation Steel Curtain. He left the Marines in 2006.{{cite news |first=Scott |last=Thistle |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2017/08/24/jared-golden-a-leading-democrat-in-the-maine-house-to-announce-run-for-u-s-congress/ |title=Jared Golden, a leading Democrat in Maine House, announces run for U.S. Congress |newspaper=Portland Press Herald |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=June 13, 2018}}{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Steve |date=September 9, 2018 |title=Jared Golden: From combat to candidate for Congress |url=http://www.sunjournal.com/jared-golden-from-combat-to-candidate-for-congress/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909070053/https://www.sunjournal.com/jared-golden-from-combat-to-candidate-for-congress/ |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |access-date=September 27, 2018 |work=Sun Journal}}

Upon returning to Maine, Golden earned a degree in history and politics from Bates College.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Shepherd |url=https://bangordailynews.com/2017/08/24/politics/poliquin-may-have-to-beat-a-marine-veteran-to-keep-his-seat/ |title=Poliquin may have to beat a Marine veteran to keep his seat |newspaper=Bangor Daily News |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=June 13, 2018}} He then worked for an international logistics firm before joining the staff of Republican senator Susan Collins on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.{{cite news |url=http://www.sunjournal.com/jared-golden-calls-himself-a-veteran-who-still-wants-to-serve/ |title=Jared Golden calls himself a veteran who still wants to serve |newspaper=Sun Journal |date=August 23, 2017 |access-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-date=September 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925130447/http://www.sunjournal.com/jared-golden-calls-himself-a-veteran-who-still-wants-to-serve/ |url-status=dead }}

Golden returned to Maine in 2013 to work for the House Democratic Office in the Maine Legislature. As a Democrat, he ran for and was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2014, representing part of the city of Lewiston.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

Golden was reelected in 2016. In the subsequent legislative session, he became Assistant House Majority Leader. Golden chaired the Elections Committee and the Joint Select Committee on Joint Rules.{{Cite web |url=https://legislature.maine.gov/house/house/MemberProfiles/DetailsHistoricalView/5?showstatus=History&Legislature=128 |title=Member Profile - Historical View |work=The Maine House of Representatives |access-date=April 11, 2021 |language=en}}

{{see also|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 2|label 1=2018 Maine's 2nd congressional district election}}

On August 24, 2017, Golden announced his candidacy against Bruce Poliquin to serve in the United States House of Representatives for {{ushr|ME|2}}. On June 20, 2018, he was declared the winner of the Democratic primary, defeating environmentalist Lucas St. Clair and bookstore owner Craig Olson.{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Steve |title=Democrat Jared Golden declared winner of congressional primary |url=http://www.sunjournal.com/democrat-jared-golden-declared-winner-of-congressional-primary/ |access-date=June 30, 2018 |newspaper=Sun Journal |date=June 20, 2018 |archive-date=July 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701030502/http://www.sunjournal.com/democrat-jared-golden-declared-winner-of-congressional-primary/ |url-status=dead }}

On election night, Golden trailed Poliquin by 2,000 votes. As neither candidate won a majority, Maine's newly implemented ranked-choice voting system called for the votes of independents Tiffany Bond and William Hoar to be redistributed to Poliquin or Golden in accordance with their voters' second choice. The independents' supporters ranked Golden as their second choice by an overwhelming margin, allowing him to defeat Poliquin by 3,000 votes after the final tabulation.{{cite news |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2018/11/15/final-ranked-choice-vote-count-slated-for-noon/ |title=Jared Golden declared winner of first ranked-choice congressional election, but challenge looms |date=November 15, 2018 |newspaper=Portland Press Herald |access-date=November 16, 2018}} He is the first challenger to unseat an incumbent in the district since 1916.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/15/us/politics/poliquin-maine-loses.html |title=Maine's Bruce Poliquin, Lone Republican in House From New England, Loses Re-election |first1=Kate |last1=Taylor |first2=Liam |last2=Stack |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 15, 2018}}

Poliquin opposed the use of ranked-choice voting in the election and claimed to be the winner due to his first-round lead. He filed a lawsuit in federal court to have ranked-choice voting declared unconstitutional and to have himself declared the winner. Judge Lance E. Walker rejected all of Poliquin's arguments and upheld the certified results.{{Cite news |url=https://www.sunjournal.com/2018/12/13/federal-court-rules-against-bruce-poliquins-challenge-of-ranked-choice-voting/ |title=Federal court rules against Bruce Poliquin's challenge of ranked-choice voting |last=Collins |first=Steve |date=December 13, 2018 |newspaper=Sun Journal |access-date=December 19, 2018}} Poliquin appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and requested an order to prevent Golden from being certified as the winner, but the request was rejected.{{Cite news |url=https://www.mainepublic.org/post/appellate-court-denies-poliquins-request-block-certification-2nd-district-election |title=Poliquin's Request To Block Certification Of 2nd District Election |last=Mistler |first=Steve |work=Maine Public |access-date=December 21, 2018}} On December 24, Poliquin dropped his lawsuit, allowing Golden to take the seat.{{Cite news |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2018/12/24/poliquin-drops-legal-challenge-to-ranked-choice-voting/ |title=Poliquin drops challenge to ranked-choice voting, clearing way for Golden to take seat in Congress |last=Murphy |first=Edward |date=December 24, 2018 |newspaper=Portland Press Herald |access-date=December 25, 2018}}

{{see also|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 2|label 1=2020 Maine's 2nd congressional district election}}

File:Jared Golden dinner 2021.jpg]]

Golden ran for reelection in 2020 and won the Democratic primary unopposed. His Republican opponent was Dale Crafts, a former Maine representative. Most political pundits expected Golden to win the general election easily; polling showed him ahead of Crafts by an average of about 19%, Sabato's Crystal Ball and The Cook Political Report both rating the contest as "Likely Democratic", and analysis website FiveThirtyEight predicted that Golden had a 96 out of 100 chance of winning, with Golden garnering nearly 57% of the vote in their projection of the most likely scenario.{{cite web |url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/house/me/maine_2nd_district_crafts_vs_golden-7125.html |title=Maine's Second District - Crafts vs. Golden |date=November 3, 2020 |access-date=February 11, 2021 |website=RealClearPolitics}}{{cite web |url=https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2020-house/|title=2020 House race ratings |date=November 2, 2020 |access-date=February 11, 2021 |website=Sabato's Crystal Ball}}{{cite web |url=https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings|title=2020 House race ratings |date=November 2, 2020 |access-date=February 11, 2021 |website=The Cook Political Report}}{{cite web |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/house/maine/2/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025171559/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/house/maine/2/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 25, 2020|title=Golden is clearly favored to win Maine's 2nd District|date=November 3, 2020 |access-date=February 11, 2021 |website=FiveThirtyEight}}

In November, Golden defeated Crafts 53%–47%.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-maine-house-district-2.html|title=Maine Election Results: Second Congressional District.|work=The New York Times|date=February 11, 2021}} President Donald Trump carried the district in that same election.{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/04/congressional-maine-nebraska-presidential-results-2020-433380|title=Trump holds electoral vote in northern Maine.|work=Politico|date=January 6, 2021}}

{{see also|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 2|label 1=2022 Maine's 2nd congressional district election}}

Golden ran for reelection in 2022 and won the Democratic primary unopposed.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/06/14/us/elections/results-maine-us-house-district-2.html |title=Maine Second Congressional District Primary Election Results |date=June 15, 2022 |access-date=August 30, 2022 |website=The New York Times}} Redistricting pushed the 2nd further into Kennebec County. Notably, he picked up Augusta, which had long been part of the 1st district.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

Golden faced former Republican congressman Bruce Poliquin, whom he narrowly beat in 2018, and independent Tiffany Bond, who also ran for the 2nd congressional district seat in 2018. In July, Golden was endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, Maine's largest police union, which "split the ticket" by also endorsing former Republican governor Paul LePage.{{cite web |url=https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2022-07-25/maine-police-groups-endorsement-of-golden-could-undercut-key-gop-attack |title=Maine police group's endorsement of Golden could undercut key GOP attack |date=July 25, 2022 |access-date=August 30, 2022 |website=Maine Public}} Polls again showed Golden with a lead,{{Cite web |last=St Pierre |first=Ariana |date=2022-10-21 |title=New poll gives insight into key political races in Maine |url=https://fox23maine.com/news/local/new-poll-gives-insight-into-key-political-races-in-maine-democrats-republicans-governor-janet-mills-paul-lepage-congressman-jared-golden-bruce-poliquin-rep-chellie-pingree |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=WPFO |language=en}} but many organizations rated the seat as a "tossup", as incumbent president Joe Biden was unpopular and inflation was approaching 40-year highs; Decision Desk HQ even gave the seat a "Leans Republican" rating.{{Cite web |title=DDHQ 2022 Election Forecast |url=https://forecast.decisiondeskhq.com/house |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=forecast.decisiondeskhq.com |language=en}} Nonetheless, Golden led the field in the first round, and defeated Poliquin 53%–47% after Bond's second-choice votes mostly flowed to him.{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Steve |date=2022-11-17 |title=Completed count shows Rep. Jared Golden won big in Maine's 2nd Congressional District |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2022/11/16/completed-count-shows-rep-jared-golden-won-big-in-maines-2nd-congressional-district/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Press Herald}}

{{see also|2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 2|label 1=2024 Maine's 2nd congressional district election}}

Golden won a fourth term in Congress.{{cite news |last1=Wu |first1=Nicholas |title=Democrat Jared Golden wins reelection in tight Maine House race |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/15/democrat-jared-golden-maine-election-00188138 |access-date=November 18, 2024 |work=Politico |date=November 15, 2024}} He very narrowly defeated Republican state representative Austin Theriault, who was endorsed by Donald Trump.{{cite web |last1=Cullen |first1=Margie |title=Trump-backed Maine candidate wins right to challenge Rep. Jared Golden for U.S. House |url=https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/06/12/trump-candidate-maine-primary-jared-golden-austin-theriault/74055451007/ |website=Pourtsmouth Herald |access-date=12 June 2024}}

Golden's district was again concurrently carried by Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election in Maine.{{cite news |title=Maine Election Results |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2024-us-election-results/maine/ |newspaper=Bloomberg |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=13 November 2024}}

File:Maine congressional delegation meets with Gov Janet Mills.jpg Janet Mills and the Maine congressional delegation.]]

Golden was sworn in on January 3, 2019. During the election for speaker of the House, he voted against Democratic Caucus nominee Nancy Pelosi, as he had pledged to do during his campaign, instead casting his vote for Representative Cheri Bustos of Illinois.{{Cite news |date=January 3, 2019 |title=Maine's new Rep. Golden votes against Pelosi for House speaker |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2019/01/03/maines-new-rep-golden-votes-against-pelosi-for-house-speaker/ |access-date=January 3, 2019 |newspaper=Portland Press Herald |agency=Associated Press}} Golden voted in 2019 for Article I of the articles of impeachment against Donald Trump but was one of three Democrats to vote against Article II.{{Cite news |last1=Foran |first1=Clare |last2=Byrd |first2=Haley |date=December 18, 2019 |title=Democrat to split his vote on impeachment articles |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/17/politics/impeachment-vote-jared-golden-democrat/index.html |access-date=December 19, 2019 |website=CNN}}

Golden endorsed Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado during the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.{{Cite news |last1=Cadelago |first1=Christopher |last2=Mutnick |first2=Ally |date=February 6, 2020 |title=Michael Bennet's first House endorsement is from Trump Country |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/06/bennet-endorsement-golden-111187 |access-date=February 6, 2020 |work=Politico |language=en}} As of 2022, he had voted in line with Joe Biden's positions 85.7% of the time, the lowest rate of any Democratic caucus member.{{cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron |date=2021-04-22 |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/jared-golden/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508004245/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/jared-golden/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=26 August 2022 |website=FiveThirtyEight |language=en}}

Golden represents the second-most rural district in the United States, with 72% of its population living in rural areas. The district also has the second-highest proportion of non-Hispanic White residents (94%). Only Kentucky's 5th congressional district exceeds it in the two categories.{{cite web |title=Congressional Districts – 113th Congress Demographics – Urban Rural Patterns |url=http://proximityone.com/cd113_2010_ur.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420020933/http://proximityone.com/cd113_2010_ur.htm |archive-date=April 20, 2013 |access-date=September 12, 2015 |work=proximityone.com}} Additionally, his district was carried by Donald Trump in 2020, the only district in New England to do so.

For the 119th Congress:{{cite web |title=List of Standing Committees and Select Committees of the House of Representatives|url=https://clerk.house.gov/committee_info/scsoal.pdf |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |access-date=May 13, 2025}}

• Committee on Armed Services
• Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations
• Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
• Committee on Natural Resources
• Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
• Subcommittee on Federal Lands
• Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries

• Blue Dog Coalition{{cite web |title=Members |url=https://bluedogcaucus-costa.house.gov/members |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630011533/https://bluedogcaucus-costa.house.gov/members |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |access-date=December 23, 2018 |publisher=Blue Dog Coalition}}
• For Country Caucus (co-chair){{Cite web |date=2021-02-25 |title=For Country Caucus Announces Chairs, Members for 117th Congress |url=https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/country-caucus-announces-chairs-members-117th-congress |access-date=2021-04-29 |website=Representative Jared Golden |language=en}}
• Problem Solvers Caucus

Golden is a Blue Dog Democrat. He is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/08/08/blue-dog-democrats-congress-new-leaders/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9 |title=Dwindling Blue Dog Democrats look to stage a comeback for moderates| newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 8, 2023}} He has advocated what he calls "progressive conservatism" and was described as an "obstinate independent" by Axios.{{Cite web |last=Solender |first=Andrew |date=2025-04-08 |title=Democrat Jared Golden's only tariff fear: That Trump will back down |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/04/08/trump-tariffs-house-democrats-jared-golden |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=Axios |language=en}}

In 2025, Golden stood out as one of the only Democrats in Congress to openly support President Trump's tariff policy. He criticized his party’s perceived shift toward defending free trade deals and the stock market and "coming out strongly" against Trump's tariffs, advocating instead for his populist approach of "progressive conservatism." Golden expressed concern over Trump backing down from his tariff policy telling Axios, "My biggest worry is that they're going to do this and lose faith and political will and back away." He has opposed Democratic Rep. Greg Meeks' (D-N.Y.) measure in the house to "kill Trump's tariffs".

Golden had introduced legislation in January 2025 that would put a universal 10% tariff on all imports into the U.S. His stance puts him at odds with House Democrats. Golden also dismissed the 2025 stock market crash that followed Trump's tariffs claiming, "The vast majority of Americans have no stocks."

Golden was the only Democrat who voted for the Republican stopgap spending bill to avert a government, against the instructions by the House Democratic leadership.{{Cite news |last=Schnell |first=Mychael |date=2025-03-11 |title=Lone Democrat to back House GOP spending bill explains decision |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5189796-golden-votes-republican-stopgap/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250313011028/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5189796-golden-votes-republican-stopgap/ |archive-date=2025-03-13 |access-date=2025-03-16 |work=The Hill |language=en-US}}

Golden has a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America and an F rating from the Susan B. Anthony List for his abortion-related voting history.{{Cite web|url=https://reproductivefreedomforall.org/news/naral-celebrates-golden-victory-me/|title=NARAL Pro-Choice America Celebrates Rep. Jared Golden’s Victory in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District|date=November 4, 2020|website=Reproductive Freedom for All}}{{Cite web|url=https://sbaprolife.org/representative/jared-golden|title=Rep. Jared Golden | National Pro-Life Scorecard}}

Golden in January 2023 was one of seven Democrats to vote with Republicans in favor of H.R.497, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, which sought to lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.{{cite web |date=January 31, 2023 |title=Seven Democrats join Republicans in vote to lift vaccine mandate for healthcare workers |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/seven-democrats-join-house-gop-lift-vaccine-mandate-healthcare-work}}{{cite web |date=August 12, 2015 |title=On Passage - H.R.497: To eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on |url=https://projects.propublica.org/represent/votes/118/house/1/98}} A day later, he was among 12 Democrats who supported with Republicans a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency.{{cite web |date=February 2023 |title=House passes resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3839808-house-gop-passes-bill-to-end-covid-19-national-emergency/}}{{cite web |date=August 12, 2015 |title=On Passage - H.J.RES.7: Relating to a national emergency declared by |url=https://projects.propublica.org/represent/votes/118/house/1/104}}

File:Jared Golden with Police 2024.jpg sheriff and staff]]

Golden was one of two Democrats to vote with Republicans against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2021 |title=George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 -- Mar 3, 2021 |url=https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2021/roll060.xml |access-date=July 28, 2022 |website=Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives}} While he acknowledged the bill had many good provisions, such as creating a national registry for police misconduct, increasing data collection, promoting de-escalation tactics, and banning chokeholds unless deadly force was authorized, he expressed concern over its proposed restrictions on qualified immunity. Golden also criticized the lack of further negotiations since the bill's initial passage.{{Cite web |date=March 4, 2021 |title=Maine Rep. Jared Golden votes against House police reform bill |url=https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/maine-democrat-rep-jared-golden-one-of-two-democrats-to-vote-against-george-floyd-police-reform-bill/97-759bc224-7cdf-4aac-8ce6-29763973fe40 |access-date=2022-07-28 |website=News Center Maine |language=en}}

Golden was one of two House Democrats, alongside Representative Gluesenkamp Perez, to side with Republicans in voting to overturn President Biden's student loan debt cancellation plan of 2023.{{cite web |last=Binkley |first=Collin |date=May 24, 2023 |title=House GOP passes resolution overturning student loan cancellation; Biden vows veto |url=https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-debt-cancellation-forgiveness-biden-congress-ebc6a1cbc98a3fb587c8a8acff35a92a |access-date=May 25, 2023 |work=Associated Press}}

During the Russo-Ukrainian War, Golden organized a letter signed by several members of Congress, urging President Biden to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.{{cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Connor |date=February 17, 2023 |title=Democrats, Republicans join up to urge Biden to send F-16s to Ukraine |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/17/house-lawmakers-f-16-ukraine-letter-00083402 |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Politico |publisher= |quote=}} In the Gaza war Golden opposed calls for a ceasefire{{cite news |date=January 4, 2024 |title=Portland City Council unanimously backs resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza |url=https://mainemorningstar.com/briefs/portland-city-council-unanimously-backs-resolution-calling-for-ceasefire-in-gaza/ |work=Maine Morning Star}} and voted in favor of providing $14.3 billion in additional funding to support Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip at the start of the war.{{cite news |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Activists arrested at Rep. Golden's Bangor office amid increased calls for ceasefire in Gaza |url=https://mainemorningstar.com/2023/11/09/activists-arrested-at-rep-goldens-bangor-office-amid-increased-calls-for-ceasefire-in-gaza/ |work=Maine Morning Star}}

File:Golden and circle of people.jpg

Golden was the only Democrat to oppose the Bipartisan Background Checks Act which aimed to expand background checks for gun purchases. He was also one of two Democrats, along with Ron Kind of Wisconsin, to vote against the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, which sought to close the Charleston loophole. Both bills passed the House in March 2021.{{cite news |last1=Conradis |first1=Brandon |date=11 March 2021 |title=The eight Republicans who voted to tighten background checks on guns |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/542773-the-eight-republicans-who-voted-to-tighten-background-checks-on-guns?rl=1&fbclid=IwAR0cU23ufm_FGzUh8_Z3BoFYkBrMTQibMEHy3X0LhR0xbmFvFbJdO6fYAxM |access-date=March 12, 2021 |work=The Hill |language=en}}

In 2022, Golden and Kurt Schrader of Oregon were the only Democrats to vote against raising the minimum age for purchasing semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21.{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2022 |title=House passes slate of bills to restrict access to guns and ammunition; it faces long odds in Senate |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-votes-raise-minimum-age-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-21-rcna32615 |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=NBC News |language=en}} Later that year, Golden joined Republicans and four other Democrats in voting against a bill that proposed banning assault weapons.{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Ella |date=30 July 2022 |title=Who are the 7 House members who broke with their party in voting on assault weapons ban? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/07/30/congress-members-broke-party-assault-weapons-ban/10191151002/ |access-date=30 July 2022 |newspaper=USA Today}}

However, after the 2023 Lewiston shootings in his hometown, where 18 people were killed, Golden changed his stance. He apologized and called for a federal ban on assault weapons.{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Nick |date=2023-10-26 |title=Maine Democrat calls for assault weapons ban after past opposition |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4278353-maine-democrat-assault-weapons-ban-change/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}} He stated in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, "I really believe that any law-abiding and competent citizen should have fairly easy access to firearms." However, the shooting raised questions for him, and he stated "Am I going to start carrying an AR-15 slung over my shoulder when I go to the grocery store, when I go to a restaurant?" He noted that the odds of being in the right place to stop an active shooter were slim. "And what responsibilities do I have as a leader of the community?"{{cite news |last1=Kesling |first1=Ben |date=Nov 10, 2023 |title=Maine Lawmaker Looked at His AR-15 Differently After Lewiston Massacre |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/maine-lawmaker-looked-at-his-ar-15-differently-after-lewiston-massacre-59ab8189 |access-date=Nov 11, 2023 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}}

In 2025, Golden was one of 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for the Laken Riley Act.{{cite news |last=Rashid |first=Hafiz |date=January 22, 2025 |title=The 46 Democrats Who Voted for Republicans' Racist Immigration Bill |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/190569/list-house-democrats-vote-pass-laken-riley-act-immigration-bill |accessdate=January 31, 2025 |publisher=The New Republic}}

File:Golden at manufacturing facility.jpg

Golden was the only House Democrat to vote with Republicans against the Build Back Better Act, citing concerns about the elimination of the $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction, "tax breaks for millionaires" in the bill and the lack of prescription drug pricing reform.{{cite web |last=Choi |first=Joseph |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Jared Golden sole Democrat to vote against Build Back Better Act |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/582310-jared-golden-only-democrat-to-vote-against-build-back-better-act |work=The Hill}}{{Cite web |date=2021-11-18 |title=Golden Opposes Tax Breaks for Millionaires, Commits to Working with Senate to Improve Build Back Better Act Before Vote {{!}} Representative Jared Golden |url=https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-opposes-tax-breaks-millionaires-commits-working-senate-improve-build |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=golden.house.gov |language=en}} However, he later joined Democrats in voting for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, an amended version of the original bill.{{cite web |date=August 12, 2022 |title=Roll Call 420, Bill Number: H. R. 5376, 117th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022420 |access-date=December 23, 2022 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives}}

Golden voted in 2022 for the Respect for Marriage Act, which repealed the Defense of Marriage Act and federally protected same-sex and interracial marriages.{{cite news |last1=Dormido |first1=Hannah |last2=Blanco |first2=Adrian |last3=Perry |first3=Kati |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Here's which House members voted for or against the Respect for Marriage Act |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2022/house-vote-count-respect-for-marriage-act/ |access-date=July 16, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en}} He was one of four Democrats to join with the majority of House Republicans to pass the annual defense policy bill, which included provisions barring Pentagon funding for abortion and transgender surgeries.{{cite news |last1=Richards |first1=Zoë |last2=Kaplan |first2=Rebecca |last3=Shabad |first3=Rebecca |date=July 14, 2023 |title=House passes defense bill after GOP adopts abortion and transgender surgery amendments |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-passage-defense-bill-question-gop-abortion-transgender-surgery-a-rcna94196 |access-date=July 16, 2023 |publisher=NBC News}}

Jared Golden has received an "A" rating from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) for his voting record on cannabis-related legislation.{{cite web |title=Jared Golden (D - ME) |url=https://vote.norml.org/politicians/151420 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |language=en}}

Golden was one of 38 Democrats to vote against the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement Implementation Act.{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2019 |title=United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act -- Dec 19, 2019 |url=https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2019/roll701.xml |access-date=July 28, 2022 |website=Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives}} He expressed concern that the law's labeling requirements would not prevent international companies from misbranding products, potentially harming Maine businesses. Golden also voiced skepticism about enforcement, citing America's perceived poor track record with previous trade agreements in protecting workers.{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2019 |title=Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree will vote against revised NAFTA trade pact |url=https://wgme.com/news/local/jared-golden-and-chellie-pingree-will-vote-against-revised-nafta-trade-pact |access-date=2022-07-28 |website=WGME |language=en}}

On April 10, 2025, Golden was one of only four Democrats who joined all of the Republicans in the House in voting in favor of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, commonly known as the SAVE Act. The bill places strict requirements to prove American citizenship in order to vote in federal elections.{{Citeweb|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5242559-house-republicans-pass-bill-requiring-proof-of-citizenship-to-vote/|title=House Republicans pass bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote|last=Beitsch|first=Rebecca|publisher=The Hill|date=April 10, 2025|accessdate=April 10, 2025}}

Golden's wife, Isobel (née Moiles), served as a Lewiston city councilor from 2016 to 2018.{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Steve |date=August 23, 2017 |title=Lewiston's Jared Golden takes aim at congressional seat |url=http://www.sunjournal.com/lewistons-jared-golden-takes-aim-at-congressional-seat/ |access-date=June 12, 2018 |newspaper=Sun Journal |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613062554/http://www.sunjournal.com/lewistons-jared-golden-takes-aim-at-congressional-seat/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |date=October 19, 2014 |title=Moiles — Golden |url=https://www.sunjournal.com/2014/10/19/moiles-golden/ |newspaper=Sun Journal}} They have two daughters.{{cite news |date=2021-05-16 |title=Jared Golden welcomes daughter |url=https://bangordailynews.com/2021/05/16/politics/jared-golden-welcomes-daughter/ |access-date=14 June 2021 |work=Bangor Daily News |agency=Associated Press}} Golden has several tattoos from his time in the military, including a Celtic cross on his forearm and a "devil dog" which represents his Marine unit.{{cite web |date=August 28, 2018 |title=Super PAC Blasts Democratic Candidate's Marine Tattoos |url=https://www.newsweek.com/jared-golden-marine-tattoos-liberal-candidate-bruce-poliquin-attack-ad-1093810?amp=1 |website=Newsweek}}{{Cite news |last=Clawson |first=Laura |date=August 27, 2018 |title=Republican super PAC attacks combat veteran for having tattoos |url=https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/8/27/1791394/-Republican-super-PAC-attacks-combat-veteran-for-having-tattoos |access-date=May 25, 2023 |work=Daily Kos}}{{better source needed|date=March 2025}}

% (gross) = percent of all valid votes cast (without eliminating the exhausted votes)

% (net) = percent of votes cast after eliminating the exhausted votes

% (gross) = percent of all valid votes cast (without eliminating the exhausted votes)

% (net) = percent of votes cast after eliminating the exhausted votes

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maine's 2nd congressional district, 2020{{cite web |title=November 3, 2020 General Election |url=https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/results/results20.html#novtab |website=Maine Department of Secretary of State |access-date=November 24, 2020}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jared Golden (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 197,974

| percentage = 53.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Dale Crafts

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 175,228

| percentage = 46.9

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 33

|percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 373,235

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

% (gross) = percent of all valid votes cast (without eliminating the exhausted votes)

% (net) = percent of votes cast after eliminating the exhausted votes

{{Election box begin no change|title=Maine's 2nd congressional district, 2024{{cite web |title=Rep. to Congress - District 2 |url=https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/results/2024/Nov24%20RCV%20CG2%20Summary%20Report%2020241115.pdf |website=maine.gov |access-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114102637/https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/results/2024/Nov24%20RCV%20CG2%20Summary%20Report%2020241115.pdf |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |date=November 15, 2024 |url-status=live}}}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Jared Golden (incumbent)|votes=197,151|percentage=50.35}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Austin Theriault|votes=194445|percentage=49.65}}{{Election box total no change|votes=391,596|percentage=100.00}}{{Election box end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{wikiquote}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://golden.house.gov/ Congressman Jared Golden] official U.S. House website
• [https://jaredgoldenforcongress.com/ Jared Golden for Congress] campaign website

{{CongLinks|votesmart=151420|congbio=G000592|fec=H8ME02185|congress=jared-golden/G000592}}

• {{C-SPAN|116617}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Bruce Poliquin}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Maine's 2nd congressional district|years=2019–present}}

{{s-inc}}

|-

{{s-ppo}}

{{s-bef|before=Stephanie Murphy|as=Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration}}

{{s-ttl|rows=2|title=Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration and Communications|years=2023|alongside=Jim Costa (Policy)}}

{{s-aft|after=Himself|as=Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Tom O'Halleran|as=Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Communications}}

{{s-aft|after=Marie Pérez|as=Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Communications}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Himself|as=Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration and Communications}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration|years=2023–2025|alongside=Marie Pérez (Communications), Mary Peltola (Policy)}}

{{s-aft|after=Marie Pérez}}

|-

{{s-prec|usa}}

{{s-bef|before=Sylvia Garcia}}

{{s-ttl|title=United States representatives by seniority|years=206th}}

{{s-aft|after=Lance Gooden}}

{{s-end}}

{{ME-FedRep}}

{{USHouseCurrent}}

{{USCongRep-start |congresses=116th–present United States Congress |state=Maine}}

{{USCongRep/ME/116}}

{{USCongRep/ME/117}}

{{USCongRep/ME/118}}

{{USCongRep/ME/119}}

{{USCongRep-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Golden, Jared}}

Category:1982 births

Category:21st-century members of the Maine Legislature

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:Bates College alumni

Category:Christians from Maine

Category:Democratic Party members of the Maine House of Representatives

Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Maine

Category:Living people

Category:Maine Democrats

Category:People from Leeds, Maine

Category:Politicians from Lewiston, Maine

Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War

Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)