Sen. Joe Baldacci (D-Penobscot) is running for Maine’s Second Congressional District (CD2) House seat, currently held by Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), he announced on Monday.
“I’m running for Congress because Maine needs a fighter in Washington, D.C. — someone who understands what it means when groceries, health care, and housing become unaffordable, and who will actually do something about it. I’ll vote to restore ACA subsidies, protect Social Security and Medicare, crack down on corporate greed, and stand up for small businesses and working families,” said Sen. Baldacci in a statement provided to WGME on Monday morning.
“I’ve taken on Paul LePage before and won, and I’ll do it again in November. That’s what Maine needs right now — and that’s why I’m in this fight,” he added.
Baldacci changed the banner on his Facebook page to reflect his congressional run and added a link to his campaign website. However, as of Monday morning, the website was not functional.
His announcement came ahead of a campaign launch event scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Monday at the Orono Brewing Company.
Baldacci’s announcement drew responses from Maine Republicans.
“We are confident based on the polling data and the enthusiasm we feel throughout Maine’s 2nd Congressional District that voters will elect Paul LePage to Congress this year and reject the woke, extreme, and soft-on-crime policies that Dunlap, Baldacci, and Wood have to offer,” said Maine GOP Chairman Jim Deyermond.
“Joe Baldacci has sided with the most extreme side of the Democratic Party on vote after vote, banning our Maine law enforcement from assisting in the illegal immigration fight and voting to allow boys into girls’ school locker rooms. Matt Dunlap, Jordan Wood, and Joe Baldacci have one thing in common: they are pandering to their extreme liberal base, which is out of step with the Maine people,” said Assistant Republican Senate Leader Matt Harrington (R-York).
Baldacci’s decision to enter the CD2 race comes after Rep. Golden’s shocking announcement that he would not be seeking re-election, leaving the door open for another Democrat to win the nomination.
Baldacci will face off against Jordan Wood, who suspended his failing Senate campaign to run for the House, and State Auditor Matt Dunlap in the primary.
The winner of the Democratic primary will likely face off against former Governor Paul LePage, the Republican front-runner.
The Maine Wire reached out to Baldacci for a comment on his announcement, but he did not immediately respond.
Update: After the publication of this article, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) reached out with a statement on Baldacci’s announcement.
“If radical Democrat Joe Baldacci thinks his woke, pro-crime policies and violent, anti-Trump rhetoric is a winning formula for this district, he has another think coming,” said NRCC Spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole.
