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Golden’s Exit Letter Was a Brutal Indictment of His Own Party
In his retirement announcement published in the Bangor Daily News, Golden didn’t hold back.
“After 11 years as a legislator, I have grown tired of the increasing incivility and plain nastiness that are now common from some elements of our American community,” he wrote. “Behavior that, too often, our political leaders exhibit themselves.”
But Golden didn’t stop there. He went straight for the jugular — of his own party.
“We have seen mainstream Republicans stand by as their party was hijacked first by Tea Party obstructionists and then by the MAGA movement and its willingness to hand much of Congress’ authority to the president,” he said, before adding a warning that’s haunting Democrats today:
“I fear Democrats are going down the same path. We’re allowing the most extreme, pugilistic elements of our party to call the shots.”
Golden cited the ongoing government shutdown as proof Democrats have abandoned their principles. “For as long as I can remember, we have opposed shutting down the government over policy disputes. We criticized Republicans for taking hostages this way,” he wrote. “But this year, reeling from the losses of the last election, too many Democrats have given into demands that we use the same no-holds-barred, obstructionary tactics as the GOP.”
That’s not the farewell speech Democrats wanted the day after they were celebrating gubernatorial wins.
Threats, Violence, and a Country Gone Mad
Golden’s letter also revealed how personal the cost of public service has become.
“As a father, I have to consider whether the good I can achieve outweighs everything my family endures as a result,” he said, revealing that his family spent Thanksgiving in a hotel room last year after receiving yet another threat against their home.
He referenced “recent high-profile episodes of political violence” — including the assassination of Charlie Kirk and threats against President Trump and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro — as reasons for his decision.
A Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan decided the risks to his family outweighed the rewards of serving in Congress. That alone should terrify Washington.
“I don’t fear losing,” Golden stated. “What has become apparent to me is that I now dread the prospect of winning.”
Democrats Just Lost Their Only Lifeline in Trump Country
Golden’s departure instantly transforms Maine’s 2nd District from a nail-biter to a likely Republican pickup. The Cook Political Report already moved the race rating to favor the GOP.
Former Governor Paul LePage wasted no time announcing his run, instantly becoming the frontrunner. Meanwhile, Golden’s Democratic challenger, state Auditor Matthew Dunlap, now faces an impossible task — defending a district that went for Trump three times without Golden’s moderate appeal.
Golden outperformed Biden by more than 13 points in 2020 — the biggest overperformance of any Democrat in a Trump district. Without him, Democrats are left trying to sell progressive talking points in a district that’s 72% rural, 94% white, and deeply conservative.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries tried to put on a brave face, claiming Democrats are ready to “fight for everyday people.” But the same night he said that, New York City elected a socialist mayor — exactly the kind of far-left win Golden warned about.
The Canary in the Coal Mine
Jared Golden’s retirement isn’t just another resignation. It’s a red flag the size of Maine.
When a Marine who survived Trump country three elections in a row decides it’s not worth fighting his own party anymore, it says something deeper: the Democratic Party’s identity crisis is reaching a breaking point.
Democrats can spin, celebrate, and claim momentum all they want. But the truth is clear — they just lost the one man who proved a Democrat could win in Trump’s America.
And without Jared Golden, that miracle won’t happen again.
