Maine Democratic Rep. Jared Golden launched a new TV ad this morning showing how some of the party’s vulnerable members are working their messaging to appeal to crossover voters, touting how he “stood up to Biden” and “worked with the Trump administration.”
Golden represents Maine’s 2nd congressional district, a largely rural seat that’s ranked as a top battleground in recent cycles, and his race is one of national Republicans’ top targets as they look for offensive opportunities to shore up their razor-thin majority.
Under pressure to pick up votes from Independents and Republicans, Golden’s new ad details his work in Congress on behalf of key Maine constituencies, including lobsterman and loggers, and includes references to some of the top motivating issues for conservative voters, including illegal immigration and border security.
“Washington wasn’t listening to me. So we brought Maine to Washington to deliver the message together,” Golden says in the ad. “We stood up to Biden to protect Maine lobstermen, worked with the Trump administration to build a vein treatment center, delivered $1 million to train Maine loggers, and worked with Republicans to secure our border and fund our police. And we’re just getting started.”
Golden’s campaign has consistently emphasized independence and highlighted breaks with his party, and specifically his efforts on behalf of Maine lobsterman, as he’s waged his battleground campaign.
Since September 11, the day after the final set of congressional primaries, through yesterday, Golden’s race in Maine’s 2nd congressional district ranks 6th among all House contests seeing the most ad spending; Democrats outspent Republicans by about $9.3 million to $8.5 million during that stretch.
Over the final two weeks of the race, however, Republicans are poised to seize the edge, with about $3.4 million in remaining ad bookings, to about $2.6 million for Democrats.
Golden is facing GOP nominee Austin Theriault, a former NASCAR driver who was among national Republicans prized recruits. In his ads, Theriault has focused on criticizing Democrats’ economic record, slamming inflation, and promoting his unique background.