Democrat Rep. Jared Golden Declines to Back Kamala Harris Amidst Controversy

Democrat Rep. Jared Golden Declines to Back Kamala Harris Amidst Controversy

Democratic U.S. Representative Jared Golden of Maine has stirred the political waters by expressing his reluctance to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. In a recent interview, Golden stated he is “absolutely not” committed to supporting Harris and emphasized the need to hear more about her vision for the country before making any decisions​ (Press Herald)​​ (Newsmax)​.

May be this: Biden realizes that Kamala won’t get the nod at an Open Convention, so instead he will resign the office immediately and pass it over to Harris – He figures, once she’s in, they may let her stay. Seems like a likely strategy ? pic.twitter.com/GVbTSf8Ak2

— The Golden Sledgehammer (@Golden_Sledge) July 22, 2024

Golden, who represents Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, a historically conservative area that Trump won in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, has increasingly distanced himself from his party's mainstream positions. He has criticized the Biden-Harris administration's handling of key issues, such as border security, and was one of six Democrats who recently voted in favor of a Republican-led resolution criticizing Harris on this matter​ (Press Herald)​.

Adding to the controversy, Golden penned an op-ed in the Bangor Daily News, where he predicted a victory for Donald Trump in the 2024 election and expressed his acceptance of that outcome. "Donald Trump is going to win, and I’m OK with that," he wrote, rejecting the notion that Trump’s presidency would endanger American democracy​ (Newsmax)​. Golden's comments come as President Biden’s recent debate performances and policy decisions face scrutiny from within the Democratic Party.

Jared Golden releases statement on Kamala Harris’s candidacy for president. Golden says he is looking to learn more about her leadership and policies, saying “our choice in leaders should never be a knee-jerk decision driven solely by party loyalty.” pic.twitter.com/3QNNWOEHan

— Cate McCusker (@catemccusker) July 25, 2024

Golden's remarks have sparked significant backlash, with critics accusing him of betraying his party's principles. Republican state Rep. Austin Theriault, Golden’s opponent in the upcoming congressional race, seized on these statements, portraying Golden as a politician who refuses to clearly align with his party’s presidential candidate​ (Press Herald)​.

Golden defended his stance by arguing that the selection of leaders should not be driven solely by party loyalty. "Our choice in leaders should never be a knee-jerk decision driven solely by party," he asserted, calling for Harris to outline her policies clearly and address critical issues like public safety, economic costs, and international leadership​ (Press Herald)​.

Despite the internal discord, Golden remains focused on his reelection campaign, emphasizing his record of working across party lines and his willingness to hold any president accountable, including Trump, should he win the presidency again. His district, which has shown strong support for Trump, is considered a toss-up in the upcoming election, making Golden's independent stance a calculated move to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters​ (Newsmax)​.

Golden’s comments reflect a broader challenge within the Democratic Party as it navigates internal divisions and prepares for a contentious presidential election. His position highlights the ongoing debate over party unity and the strategic approaches needed to secure victories in swing districts like Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.