Jared Golden

Jared Golden is the Democratic US Representative for Maine's 2nd congressional district, first elected in 2018 via ranked-choice voting after defeating incumbent Republican Bruce Poliquin. On 16 April 2026 he became the sole Democratic defector on the Iran War Powers Resolution, voting with Republicans to block the measure — a vote that contributed to the 213-214 defeat, the closest House vote of the Iran conflict.

Born on 25 July 1982, Golden served in the US Marine Corps from 2002 to 2006 (Corporal, 3rd Battalion 6th Marines) with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. His district, which covers rural northern Maine, consistently votes for Republican presidential candidates while returning Golden to Congress; Trump carried it again in 2024 despite Golden defeating the Trump-endorsed candidate Austin Theriault. Golden is one of the most conservative House Democrats: he was the sole Democrat against the Build Back Better Act, opposed background check legislation, supported $14.3 billion in Israeli military funding, and backed Trump's initial Iran strikes.

Golden announced his retirement on 5 November 2025, meaning his 16 April vote is among his final acts in Congress. His AIPAC backing (over $500,000 in contributions) and consistent support for Israeli military operations make his WPR defection analytically coherent: he has never supported a mechanism that would constrain executive authority on Middle East military operations. His retirement removes the Democratic caucus's most reliable pro-Israel swing vote heading into the final weeks of the 60-day WPR clock.