LePage Secures NRA Endorsement in Bid for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District

HOLDEN, Maine – Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) has received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association’s Political Victory Fund, adding the influential gun-rights organization’s backing to his campaign for Maine’s open 2nd Congressional District seat.

The endorsement was announced during a campaign event Thursday at Maine Military Supply in Holden, where LePage made the Second Amendment a central focus of his congressional campaign.

Speaking to supporters, LePage pledged to oppose any new restrictions on gun ownership, describing the right to keep and bear arms as a fundamental constitutional freedom. He said he would fight legislation that he believes infringes on Second Amendment rights and suggested he would support rolling back existing federal gun restrictions.

LePage also pointed to the unique challenges facing rural Maine, arguing that residents in the sprawling 2nd District often cannot rely on immediate law enforcement assistance because of long response times.

“In many parts of rural Maine, people have to be prepared to protect themselves and their families,” LePage said, emphasizing that self-defense remains an important issue for many voters across the district.

The endorsement came from the NRA Political Victory Fund, the organization’s political action arm responsible for evaluating and supporting candidates for public office.

John Commerford, chairman of the NRA Political Victory Fund, said LePage’s record during his two terms as governor demonstrated consistent support for gun owners and Second Amendment rights.

“Paul LePage has a strong, solid record of defending the Second Amendment,” Commerford said in announcing the endorsement.

The race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District is expected to be one of the nation’s most closely watched House contests. The seat is being vacated by Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, creating a rare open-seat battle in a district that has become one of the country’s most competitive and politically divided.

LePage will face Democratic nominee Matt Dunlap, Maine’s state auditor and the former executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, a prominent Maine-based gun-rights organization.

Dunlap’s campaign downplayed the endorsement, characterizing it as a predictable alliance between the NRA and a Republican candidate.

Campaign manager Harry Burke said it was “unsurprising” that what he described as “a partisan group like the NRA endorsed a partisan like Paul LePage.”

The Dunlap campaign also sought to inject some humor into the race, inviting LePage to participate in a skeet shooting competition to determine “who’s a better shot.”

With both candidates highlighting their support for gun owners, Second Amendment issues are expected to remain a prominent topic throughout the campaign in a district where hunting, sporting traditions, and firearm ownership have long played a significant role in the region’s culture and politics.