Matthew Dunlap (D) and Paul LePage (R) are running in the general election to represent Maine's 2nd Congressional District on Nov. 3. Incumbent Jared Golden (D) did not seek re-election.

Roll Call's Mary Ellen McIntire writes, "Republicans see the seat — a district that Donald Trump carried three times — as a prime pickup opportunity in a challenging midterm election year." According to Maine Public, Republicans say Dunlap is too liberal for the district. Citing University of Maine Professor Emeritus Amy Fried, Seacoastonline's Margie Cullen writes, "Dunlap is more progressive than Golden, but ... Golden was more progressive when he defeated a Republican for the seat for the first time in 2018. Plus ... LePage only narrowly won the 2nd District when he unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2022."

The 2nd District is one of 23 U.S. House districts nationwide that Democrats are defending this year that President Donald Trump (R) won in 2024. He defeated Kamala Harris (D) in the district 53.5%-44.5% in 2024. Golden, who was first elected in 2018, won re-election 50.3%-49.7% in 2024. Before Golden, Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R) represented the district from 2015 to 2019.

Dunlap is Maine's state auditor. He also served as Maine's secretary of state from 2005 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2021. Dunlap represented the 121st District in the Maine House of Representatives from 1996 to 2004. Dunlap says, "Together, we’re going to defeat Paul LePage one more time and make sure he’s never on the ballot again. While we’re at it, we’re going to fight to advance policies that will actually help Mainers — like Medicare for All, affordable childcare, a lower cost of living, and stopping this illegal war in Iran."

LePage was the governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019. He served as mayor of Waterville, Maine, from 2004 to 2011, and was the general manager of Marden’s Surplus and Salvage. LePage's campaign website says, "Paul is now running for Congress to lend his straight-talking voice to those who are trying to fix our government. Paul will help secure our broken borders, support Maine jobs, grow our economy, and help lower inflation by ending wasteful spending."

This is one of 59 races for the U.S. House of Representatives this year in which an incumbent is not running for re-election. Across the country, 23 Democrats and 36 Republicans are not running for re-election. In 2024, 45 incumbents — 24 Democrats and 21 Republicans — did not seek re-election.

The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 120th Congress. All 435 U.S. House districts are up for election.

Currently, Republicans have a 219-212 majority with four vacancies in the chamber. To read more about the U.S. House elections taking place this year, click here.