LEWISTON, Maine — Congressman Jared Golden insists he doesn’t enjoy his job.
“Anyone that says they like politics or Congress I think is a liar or they’re crazy,” he said in his backyard in Lewiston on Tuesday.
But here he is, a three-term Democratic incumbent running for re-election in a tight race that could tip the balance of power in the United States House of Representatives.
While he may not take pleasure in the day-to-day politicking, Golden calls his work in Congress “important”—the latest chapter in a career of public service that began with two combat tours as a U.S. Marine in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The 42-year-old Leeds native said he reflects on his time in the military most days.
“I’ll think back to […] guys I served with who didn’t get home and balance that with the life I’m living and having kids and a family.”
In Washington, Golden has made a name for himself as a conservative Democrat, staking out a home in the middle of a vast spectrum of ideologies. But his moderate posture is not so much the result of a consistent stream of centrist views as it is an average of comfortably conservative and strongly liberal positions.
In many areas, he sides with Republicans. As the GOP races away from free trade, Golden introduced a bill in congress to levy a ten-percent tariff on all imports.
“That’s a Donald Trump campaign promise, that’s a bill I introduced,” Golden said in a speech to union workers in South Portland this summer.
Golden was also one of just four Democrats to vote for HR 1, the pro-fracking Republican energy bill which passed the House before stalling last year.
Golden also drew scrutiny from many in his party for an opinion piece he wrote in the Bangor Daily News titled “Donald Trump is going the win the election and democracy will be just fine.”
Months later, he stands by his words.
“If you believe that one man is going to take away our freedom, and destroy our democratic institutions that have been built through hundreds of years, then I’d say you don’t have much faith in the institutions or in the American people,” Golden said Tuesday.
Pressed on what he makes of a fellow Marine and Trump’s former chief of staff Gen. John Kelly telling the New York Times that Trump fit the definition of a “fascist,” Golden was quick to stay out of it.
“I think its okay if General Kelly doesn't like the character of Donald Trump, but that's not my business," Golden said.
But for all he breaks with his party, Golden is still a proud Democrat, and is critical of what he sees as efforts to paint him otherwise.
Certainly, on many issues he joins ranks with his party. On abortion, he wants to codify the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law.
Following the Lewiston mass shootings, he reversed his stance on guns, embracing an assault weapons ban—a view he shares with Rep. Chellie Pingree, a fellow Democrat who represents Maine's deep-blue First Congressional District.
Some worry Golden's position on the issue may cost him votes in Maine’s rural and conservative Second Congressional District, which voted for Trump twice. Golden, though, has no regrets.
“I did what I thought was right in my heart and my mind,” he said. “I’ve been a staunch defender of the Second Amendment, and I remain so.”
Usually mild-mannered and brief in his answers, Golden’s tone changes when asked about his opponent, state representative and former NASCAR driver Austin Theriault.
“I put on a uniform to go fight for this country. He went to race cars. What else has he done?” Golden asked.
Theriault, who received Trump’s endorsement during his primary against State Representative Mike Soboleski, has run a campaign with an eye towards moderate voters. The Fort Kent native talks of winning “Kennedy Democrats” and uses the campaign slogan “People over Politics.”
This messaging appears to bother the incumbent.
“I think Austin Theriault’s whole campaign is he is me. That’s it. He’s just running as me. He pretty much repeats what I say, he says he’s for the things that I’m for, and then he's like ‘oh, by the way, I’m a Republican,'" Golden said.
Theriault’s campaign responded to this claim on Thursday.
“There’s a clear difference between Austin and Jared. Jared Golden’s a flip-flopping phony who is afraid to even say that he’s supporting Kamala Harris for President,” wrote spokesperson Preya Samsundar.
In just days, we’ll know if Theriault’s message has built enough traction to unseat the three-term incumbent, or if the Democrat's moderate brand of politics can weather another election . Either way, Golden is at peace with the result.
“I’m proud of the campaign we've run. I’m even more proud of the job I’ve done for six years," Golden said. "I’m gonna give it my all if I get re-elected. If not, we’ll move on to the next thing.”
This story is part of a series on the candidates in the race for Maine’s second congressional district. A profile on Austin Theriault will air on Friday.