Former GOP firebrand governor eyeing run for Congress in key swing district
Former two-term Republican Gov. Paul LePage of Maine is reportedly exploring the possibility of running for Congress in 2026. A source confirmed to Fox News that LePage is considering a bid in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, a predominantly rural area that covers a vast expanse of the state’s land. The district is the largest congressional district east of the Mississippi River.
The current representative for the 2nd District is Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, a Marine veteran who has served combat tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Golden is known for his moderate stance within the Democratic party and often finds himself at odds with party leadership.
LePage first served as governor in 2010 and was re-elected for a second term four years later. Due to term limits, he was unable to seek a third consecutive term in 2018. Known for his controversial off-the-cuff remarks, LePage has often compared himself to former President Donald Trump, stating, “I was Donald Trump before Donald Trump became popular.”
In 2022, LePage attempted a comeback against his successor but was defeated in the gubernatorial election by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills. Despite this setback, LePage seems determined to re-enter the political arena by considering a run for Congress in 2026.
Speculation is rife that Rep. Jared Golden may be eyeing a gubernatorial run in 2026, as Gov. Mills is term-limited. Maine is one of the few states, alongside Nebraska, that divides its electoral votes in the presidential election by congressional district. Trump carried the single electoral vote in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections.
With the GOP holding a slim 220-215 majority in the House, Democrats only need a three-seat gain in the 2026 elections to regain control of the chamber. Additionally, historical trends indicate that the party in power typically faces challenges in midterm elections.
As the political landscape in Maine evolves, the upcoming elections in 2026 promise to be closely watched. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.
*This article was written by Paul Steinhauser, a politics reporter based in New Hampshire.*
