Democrats' Maine Meddling Begins

Democratic Congressman Jared Golden made it clear who he wants to run against–and his allies are trying to gaslight GOP voters to make it happen

Democrats, fresh off of spending more money in GOP primaries than Republicans did in 2022, are back at it again, trying to play favorites in a top pickup opportunity for Republicans in the House.

I just wrote about how Democrats are trying to oust a Republican incumbent, Brian Fitzpatrick, in his primary. Here, we can see in Maine how Democrats are trying to gaslight GOP voters into nominating the Democrats’ preferred nominee, and not state representative Austin Theriault, who also doubled as a professional racecar driver.

(READ: Sacramento Democrats Meddle in GOP Primary Across the Country)

In Maine’s Second District, which Donald Trump carried in 2020, Democratic incumbent Jared Golden has made it clear that he wants to run against state representative Mike Soboleski, and not Theriault–who has been cleaning up on the fundraising and endorsements side of the race, recently scoring Trump’s coveted backing. 

“I’d rather face a neoliberal like Austin Theriault than another Marine like Mike Soboleski,” Golden told the Washington Examiner after Trump backed Theriault. “But it’s funny that Trump would back someone who just a few years ago was talking about running as a Democrat instead of backing the guy who has supported Trump all along. I guess the Washington establishment wants Theriault.” It takes about five seconds to understand that Golden is not playing mind games here. He wants to run against Soboleski. Why’s that?

As of the last fundraising report, Theriault leads Soboleski by more than 17-1 in cash on hand. Theriault is also leading by 18 percent in recent GOP primary polling, with a majority of voters still undecided.

For years, national Democrats have waded into GOP primaries–but why is this district particularly important for them? Remember that Maine awards its electoral votes by congressional district, and if Trump carries this district, he gets an extra one. So, it’s in the best interests of Joe Biden for Jared Golden to have a weaker opponent, and Soboleski’s lackluster fundraising and time running an exotic dance club gives them plenty to start off with.

That brings us to the attention that groups like American Bridge have been paying to this race.

“HOUSE ALERT: Mike Soboleski rages agains [sic] his opponent Austin Theriault, who Sobelski claims "two years ago couldn't decide whether he was a Democrat or a Republican," for receiving the Trump endorsement. #ME02,” the group tweeted, in a tweet they clearly didn’t even bother to proofread. American Bridge was, of course, founded by the Clinton family’s lapdog, David Brock. The group certainly doesn’t want Golden to have the stronger opponent in November.

While the Democrats’ Maine meddling hasn’t yet translated to significant financial investments, it’s always possible that they will turn their attention to New England after their Pennsylvania efforts presumably fail next in just a few days. Nevertheless, they are certainly already worth keeping a close eye on.