The race to succeed U.S. Representative Jared Golden from Maine’s 2nd Congressional District is intensifying as candidates unveil their fundraising totals for the last quarter of 2025. The latest figures indicate that Paul LePage, the Republican frontrunner and former governor, has outpaced his Democratic challengers in campaign contributions, reflecting a strong momentum heading into the election.
LePage, who served as governor from 2011 to 2019 and has previously held the position of mayor in Waterville, raised over $1.2 million throughout the year after announcing his candidacy in May. His campaign reported a substantial influx of funds, raising approximately $307,000 between October 1 and December 31. By the end of 2025, LePage had around $851,000 in cash reserves, reinforcing Republican confidence in a district that has consistently supported President Donald Trump in previous elections. Notably, Trump endorsed LePage in December, further solidifying his standing within the party.
While LePage leads in fundraising, his Democratic opponents are not far behind. Jordan Wood, a former Capitol Hill operative from Lewiston who initially aimed for a U.S. Senate seat before pivoting to the 2nd District race, amassed over $4 million last year. However, Wood’s campaign faced challenges as his available funds dwindled to about $630,000 by December 31.
In contrast, Matt Dunlap, the state auditor and former secretary of state, raised approximately $290,000 after launching his campaign in October. His initial report indicated that his campaign held nearly $155,000 on hand. Dunlap entered the race to challenge Golden before the latter’s announcement regarding his departure from Congress.
State Senator Joe Baldacci, representing Bangor, did not file a fundraising report due to his late entry into the race in January. However, his campaign disclosed that he raised over $150,000 in just a few weeks, signalling a robust start.
As the race continues, Golden, who had more than $1.6 million in his campaign account at the end of September, indicated in November his intention to utilize remaining funds to support Democratic candidates and settle outstanding debts. His recent reports suggest a strategy focused on refunding some donors while backing candidates like Democrat Rebecca Cooke in Wisconsin, alongside committees aimed at bolstering Democratic efforts in Maine and beyond.
The evolving financial landscape in Maine’s 2nd District reflects a competitive atmosphere as candidates prepare for the upcoming election. With LePage leading in fundraising, the dynamics of the race will likely continue to shift as the campaigns progress.
