Maine Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, representing the state's 2nd congressional district, has launched a new TV ad aimed at appealing to crossover voters. The ad showcases Golden's efforts to work across party lines by highlighting instances where he stood up to President Biden and collaborated with the Trump administration.
The 2nd congressional district, known for its rural demographics, has been a key battleground in recent election cycles. Golden's race is a top target for national Republicans as they seek to bolster their slim majority in Congress.
In an effort to attract Independent and Republican voters, Golden's ad focuses on his advocacy for key Maine constituencies such as lobstermen and loggers. It also addresses conservative voter priorities like illegal immigration and border security.
In the ad, Golden emphasizes his commitment to representing Maine's interests in Washington, stating, 'Washington wasn't listening to me. So we brought Maine to Washington to deliver the message together.' He highlights achievements such as protecting Maine lobstermen, collaborating on a vein treatment center with the Trump administration, securing funding for logger training, and working with Republicans on border security and law enforcement.
Golden's campaign strategy has consistently emphasized his independence and willingness to break from party lines. His focus on supporting Maine's lobster industry has been a central theme in his battleground campaign.
As of recent data, Golden's race ranks 6th in terms of ad spending among all House contests since September 11. Democrats have outspent Republicans in this race, with a margin of approximately $9.3 million to $8.5 million.
Looking ahead to the final two weeks of the campaign, Republicans are expected to increase their ad spending, with bookings totaling around $3.4 million compared to Democrats' $2.6 million.
Golden's opponent, GOP nominee Austin Theriault, a former NASCAR driver and a prized recruit for national Republicans, has focused his ads on criticizing Democrats' economic policies, highlighting issues like inflation, and showcasing his unique background.