Jared Golden defends his place in Democratic Party – Washington Examiner
Rep. Jared Golden, a Democratic congressman from Maine, has publicly defended his position within the Democratic Party and criticized the Portland Press Herald for what he calls biased reporting regarding his political alignment. The media outlet questioned Golden’s commitment to the party, citing his centrist voting record and lack of participation in party meetings. In response, Golden expressed his frustration over the nature of the questions, describing them as politically motivated and indicative of a broader issue with trust in the media.
He asserted that he aligns with the core values of the Democratic Party, such as workers’ rights, women’s reproductive freedom, and anti-corruption measures, while distancing himself from what he perceives as a “cult of personality” within the GOP. Golden also addressed questions about his voting intentions in the 2024 election, emphasizing that the voting choices he makes are personal. He has not committed to supporting President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris and has instead focused on his record and contributions to his constituents in Maine.
Golden’s comments come amid electoral pressures from Republican challenger Austin Theriault, who has pointed out alleged inconsistencies in Golden’s positions since emerging as a candidate.
Jared Golden defends his place in Democratic Party
Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) defended his status within the Democratic Party and blasted a local media outlet for “biased” reporting over whether he plans to remain in the party, as scrutiny rises over his centrist voting record.
In a post to X, Golden said he was asked for comment from the Portland Press Herald on the 2024 election and whether he plans to remain a Democrat after November. The outlet questioned why Golden is still a Democrat, claiming he is “trying really hard to distance himself from the president, vice president and national party as a whole. He doesn’t attend caucus or DNC delegate meetings, and abstained from the virtual roll call.”
”I have never seen a more biased or politically motivated set of questions from a reporter in my time in public office,” Golden said Friday. “This is the type of reporting that leads so many Americans to talk of the ‘fake news media,’ having lost faith in the institution as a valuable source of information.”
Golden said that “last I checked”, Democrats are in favor of workers’ rights and fair wages, women’s reproductive freedom, campaign finance reform and anti-corruption laws, civil rights, and good governance — “all of which I have championed throughout my time in Congress.”
”Unlike the GOP, the Democratic Party is not a cult of personality,” Golden said. “If Mainers want a candidate whose entire campaign is about fealty to one party’s entire platform and its national leaders, Austin Theriault is right there for them.”
Golden also was asked who he was voting for in the 2024 election, a question likely stemming from an op-ed the congressman gave to the Bangor Daily News in early July where he said he was “OK” with former President Donald Trump winning the 2024 election. Golden did not commit to voting for President Joe Biden and has not endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, either.
”Now I will make my last statement about how I plan to vote: Who I vote for is no one’s business but my own,” Golden said in his post. “I want the people of Maine’s Second District to understand this: I don’t care if you plan to vote for Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, or none of the above. I intend to seek your support to be your representative based upon the merits of the work I have done for all of our communities the past five and a half years.”
Austin Theriault, who is the GOP candidate running to unseat Golden, has tracked several of Golden’s “flip-flops” — so named by the campaign — since he won the primary in June.
“It’s time Jared Golden decides whether he’ll be transparent with Maine voters or continue to jerk them around,” Shawn Roderick, Theriault’s campaign manager, said in a statement. “First he’s happy to talk about who he’s NOT voting for, but now says it’s not Maine’s business WHO he votes for. Here’s the reality: Jared Golden flip-flops on the border, the Second Amendment, our lobstermen, and now on Maine’s right to know who their congressman is supporting for president. In contrast, Austin Theriault is a straight shooter from Aroostook County who will always tell Mainers where he stands on the issues.”
Golden is one of a handful House Democrats who represent swing districts or districts Trump won in previous elections that vote against the conference on key measures, such as the recent resolution to condemn Harris for failing her duties as the “border czar.”
The Cook Political Report rates Golden’s race as a “toss up” with a 6-point advantage for Republicans.
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