PORTLAND, Maine — Maine Democratic Congressman Jared Golden said he will not endorse a presidential candidate, including his party's nominee, in the upcoming election.
Golden made that clear when he and other members of the state's congressional delegation attended an event Thursday in Madawaska to celebrate the opening of a new bridge and port-of-entry.
"I'm going to continue to stay focused on my race and on my job right through the finish line," he told NEWS CENTER Maine. "I don't think that people elected me to spend all my time worrying about the national politics, particularly other people's races."
This is despite the fact the congressman has shared his opinions on the race. Golden told Axios he was "absolutely not" committing to voting for Vice President Kamala Harris when President Joe Biden dropped out of the race last month, adding he was "going to wait and see what she puts forward and what her vision for the future of the country is."
The congressman has said he does not support Trump's re-election campaign, but he would not say Thursday if he would back Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Golden also penned an op-ed in the Bangor Daily News in early July claiming Trump would win come November. He even went as far as to say he would be "OK with that."
While Golden has made clear he does not support the former president's re-election bid, he has used his name in ads and vowed to work with whoever is elected and across the aisle.
That stands in stark contrast to his opponent, Republican state representative and former NASCAR driver Austin Theriault, who has proudly boasted of having Trump's endorsement
Golden's campaign released a statement to clarify his remarks Thursday:
"Let me be as clear as I can be. I will not be endorsing in the presidential race. The reason is simple: I am running to represent all the people of this district, regardless of who they vote for at the top of the ticket. As I have always done, I will fight for Mainers no matter who occupies the White House. I am running to earn their vote on the merits, whether they support Harris, Trump, or none of the above. No matter who you vote for, there is room for you on Team Golden."
With just a few months until voters head to the polls, the race for Maine's Second District congressional seat is considered a "toss-up" by the Cook Political Report.