National Democrats finally back Matt Dunlap in his race against Paul LePage
National Democrats Endorse Maine’s State Auditor in 2nd District Race
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced Thursday that it will add Maine state auditor Matt Dunlap to its “Red to Blue” program, providing the 2‑nd‑District challenger with strategic guidance, staff resources and training as he faces former Gov. Paul LePage in the November election.
Dunlap, 61, is a longtime Bar Harbor native who has served as state auditor since 2019. He won the Democratic primary in early June through a ranked‑choice runoff, defeating the committee’s preferred candidate, state Sen. Joe Baldacci of Bangor. The DCCC had previously backed Baldacci, but the state auditor’s victory prompted a shift in the national party’s support.
“The committee has always believed in backing candidates who can bring real change to the district,” said DCCC chair Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington. “Matt Dunlap has spent his career delivering for Maine’s working families and standing up to special interests—earning the trust of Mainers across party lines.”
Dunlap’s campaign stresses a progressive platform aimed at lowering costs, protecting Social Security and pushing back against corporations and lobbyists, according to a statement released Thursday. “I’m in this race to make life more affordable for working families, protect Social Security and fight back against the corporations and lobbyists that are robbing us blind,” he said.
The 2‑nd‑District seat covers the northern half of the state, a swing district that has voted for President Donald Trump in every election since 2016. The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, decided in the fall to retire, leaving the seat open and prompting a crowded Democratic primary.
LePage, 77, a former Waterville mayor and governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019, has positioned himself as a conservative alternative. He has received endorsements from the National Rifle Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and has been touted by House Speaker Mike Johnson as a highly qualified candidate. The race is currently rated “likely Republican” by election forecasters.
The DCCC’s “Red to Blue” initiative is designed to keep open Democratic seats blue or flip Republican‑held seats by offering “top‑tier” candidates fundraising and organizational resources. While the committee did not disclose a specific donation amount for Dunlap, it noted that the program is a first step toward more substantial investment in the district.
The national Democratic effort comes amid a broader push to defend vulnerable seats. In addition to the DCCC, the House Majority PAC has already committed more than $8 million to the race, while the pro‑Republican Congressional Leadership Fund has spent over $5 million on ads supporting LePage. Total campaign spending in the 2‑nd‑District race has exceeded $21 million.
As the campaign enters the final stretch, both candidates are intensifying outreach efforts. Dunlap’s team has highlighted internal polling that shows the race as neck‑and‑neck, while LePage’s advisers emphasize the former governor’s conservative credentials and the support of Republican leaders.
Maine’s 2‑nd‑District race is one of several high‑profile contests in the 2026 midterms that are expected to shape the balance of power in the House. The DCCC’s endorsement of Dunlap signals the national party’s willingness to invest heavily in a district that could tip the scale in favor of the Democrats.
