Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) announced an endorsement of Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) in an op-ed published in The Journal News in White Plains, New York. Golden, who announced in November 2025 that he would not seek a fifth term, crossed party lines to support Lawler in one of the most closely watched House contests of the midterm cycle.
Retiring Democrat Jared Golden Endorses Republican Mike Lawler
Writing in the local New York publication, Golden described Lawler as an independent thinker willing to shed partisan loyalties. Golden pointed to their collaborative work on the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, legislation introduced by the pair this year to extend a pause on new federal right whale regulations affecting the lobster industry from 2028 to 2035. The measure passed the House 219–196 on Sept. 1 and advanced to the Senate, according to The Epoch Times. Golden also credited Lawler with supporting Democratic legislative efforts regarding federal workers’ union rights and health insurance subsidies, noting that Lawler signed a Democratic discharge petition to force a House vote on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.
Lawler, who has represented New York’s Hudson Valley district since 2023, accepted the endorsement on X, calling it an honor and a privilege. Lawler is seeking a third term in the district, which was carried by then-Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. Lawler currently faces a toss-up race against Democratic challenger Cait Conley, an Army veteran and former Biden administration official who was deployed six times overseas.
Democratic Leadership Dismisses Cross-Party Endorsement
Democratic leaders sharply criticized the endorsement and Lawler’s legislative record. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) dismissed the announcement in a statement provided by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, calling Lawler an unadulterated phony who has never shown bipartisan courage when it matters,
as reported by Roll Call. Jeffries criticized Lawler for supporting Donald Trump’s agenda, including votes on Medicaid cuts, tariffs, and military action in Iran.
DCCC Executive Director Julie Merz also criticized Lawler’s economic record, stating that Hudson Valley voters are ready for a check on the administration. House Democratic campaign arm chief Rep. Suzan DelBene (Wash.) previously charged that Lawler has repeatedly prioritized Donald Trump’s agenda over the health care costs of local constituents.
Golden has frequently broken with his own party during the congressional session. Earlier in the month, Golden joined Republicans on procedural votes to help GOP leaders advance their legislative agenda, including a rule governing debate on four bills and a resolution to denounce socialism. Those procedural votes drew criticism from fellow Democrats, who called for disciplinary action against Golden.
Bipartisan Dynamics in a Narrowly Divided House
The contest in New York’s 17th District represents one of the key pickup opportunities for Democrats fighting to flip control of the lower chamber. Both Golden and Lawler are part of a small group of House lawmakers representing districts won by the opposing party’s presidential candidate in 2024. While Harris carried Lawler’s district by less than a point, Lawler was reelected by six points.
Golden’s own rural seat in Maine’s 2nd District has historically leaned Republican, with Donald Trump carrying the district by nine points in 2024. With Golden retiring at the end of his term, political analysts view his seat as a primary Republican pickup opportunity, with the Cook PVI rating the district R+4, according to Just the News.
In his endorsement, Golden urged voters to support lawmakers who work across the aisle, writing that Lawler chose to solve problems rather than campaign on them. Lawler echoed that sentiment, stating that he and Golden share a belief that the needs of the public should supersede party alignment.