MAINE — Retiring Democratic Representative Jared Golden of Maine endorsed Republican Representative Mike Lawler of New York for reelection on September 21, 2026. Golden cited his collaboration with Lawler on legislation extending a pause on federal lobster regulations until 2035 as a reason for his endorsement.

Golden published an op-ed in The Journal News to announce the support. "Mike Lawler has been a true partner to me and a friend to fishing families he will never represent. I strongly back him, and I hope voters send him back to work," Golden wrote. The endorsement reflects a bipartisan effort on the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act, which the House approved earlier in September 2026.

Golden argued that the country needs fewer members who treat the job as a stage and more who treat it as work. In New York’s Hudson Valley this fall, that is the choice on the ballot. Wherever you live, find the members who pass laws with the other party, and keep them, Golden wrote.

Lawler responded to the endorsement on social media. It was an honor and a privilege to receive Golden’s support. We share a firm belief that what’s best for the people should come before one’s party, and that if more members on both sides of the aisle took that approach more often, the country would be better off for it," Lawler said."

He is running for a third term against Democrat Cait Conley. Conley is an Army veteran who worked for the National Security Council and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency during the Biden administration.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the endorsement. Jeffries called Lawler an "unadulterated phony who has never shown bipartisan courage when it matters." He described the move as a desperate attempt to influence the race. "In desperation, he is peddling an 11th hour endorsement from a retiring Congressmember who represents an out of town district more than 400 miles away. This smoke and mirrors ploy will do nothing to change the outcome of the race," Jeffries said.

Golden voted with House Republicans on two procedural votes in September 2026 that would have failed without his support and that of Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez. One of the procedural votes Golden supported governed debate on four bills, including the lobster measure and a resolution denouncing socialism. The other procedural vote Golden supported helped advance legislation to impose new sanctions on Russia.

Lawler joined Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Rockland County earlier in 2026. Lawler spoke at the GOP midterm convention in Dallas earlier in September 2026. "The president and I don’t always agree, and that’s OK. But in contrast to what the media tells you, what I learned about President Trump behind closed doors is that if you’re willing to make your case and fight for what you believe in, he’s willing to listen," Lawler said.

Why It Matters

The endorsement reflects a pattern of cross-party cooperation on specific regional economic issues, such as the lobster industry, which supports thousands of jobs and small businesses in both Maine and New York. The Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act provides regulatory certainty for these industries through 2035, allowing time for scientists and stakeholders to develop solutions to reduce entanglement risks.

This event occurs in a competitive district where the 2024 presidential results were narrow, and the current race is rated as a Toss-up. The differing reactions from party leadership highlight the tension between partisan loyalty and bipartisan legislative achievement in the current political climate.

Timeline

On November 5, 2024, President Donald Trump carried Maine’s 2nd District in the 2024 presidential election by 9 points, according to reports with Nathan L. Gonzales. On the same day, Kamala Harris carried New York’s 17th District by less than one point in the 2024 presidential election. Also on November 5, 2024, Lawler was reelected to the House by 6 points in 2024. On January 1, 2025, Golden announced last year that he would not seek reelection to Maine’s 2nd District.

On September 1, 2026, Lawler stated, "The president and I don’t always agree, and that’s OK. But in contrast to what the media tells you, what I learned about President Trump behind closed doors is that if you’re willing to make your case and fight for what you believe in, he’s willing to listen." On September 1, 2026, The House approved the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act earlier in September 2026.

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, which was supported by Rep. Golden and Rep. Lawler, affects the lobster fishery in the Northeast, including Maine and New York. Golden stated that approximately 18,000 fishing jobs in Maine would be affected if new lobster fishing rules were implemented. Golden also wrote, "[T]he country needs fewer members who treat the job as a stage and more who treat it as work. Wherever you live, find the members who pass laws with the other party, and keep them." Further context shows that the Northeast lobster industry supports small businesses and hardworking families throughout the region, including restaurants in New York and coastal economies in Maine.

The Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act delays the implementation of new fishing regulations intended to protect whales until 2035.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the scope of the impact of the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act. Lawler's office states that the act affects the lobster fishery in the Northeast, including Maine and New York, and is critical to coastal economies, supporting fishermen.