U.S. House race · November 3, 2026
U.S. Representative, Maine District 2
Represents the district in the U.S. House of Representatives, which writes federal laws, approves the federal budget and taxes, and oversees the executive branch.
2-year term. Open seat: no incumbent is running. The district covers central, western and northern Maine, including all of Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo and Washington counties and part of Kennebec County, with the cities of Lewiston, Auburn, Bangor, Augusta and Presque Isle. The seat is open because Democratic Rep. Jared Golden announced in November 2025 that he would not seek reelection. Matt Dunlap won the June 9, 2026 Democratic primary after a ranked-choice tabulation, and Paul LePage was unopposed for the Republican nomination. The general election uses ranked-choice voting. Gregory A. Ward of Limestone (Independent) is a declared write-in candidate.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name.
Matt Dunlap
Maine State AuditorMatt Dunlap is Maine's state auditor, a former seven-term Maine secretary of state and a former state representative from Old Town. His campaign focuses on lowering costs, health care including Medicare for All, universal child care, labor rights and taxes on billionaires and large corporations.
Paul LePage
Former Governor of Maine (2011–2019)Paul LePage is a businessman who served two terms as governor of Maine and earlier as mayor of Waterville. His campaign focuses on border security, the economy and inflation, lower taxes, and protecting Social Security and Medicare.
Compare on the issues
Summaries of each candidate's stated positions. See each profile for sources and details.
| Issue | Matt Dunlap Democratic | Paul LePage Republican |
|---|---|---|
| Economy & Jobs | Describes himself as "100% pro-labor"; supports the PRO Act, universal child care and more affordable housing, and wants to lift the administration's broad tariffs. | Says he will work to eliminate federal spending he calls wasteful and blames for inflation, and supports cutting regulations. |
| Social Security & Medicare | Says he would protect and strengthen Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. | Pledges to protect Social Security and Medicare. |
| Abortion | Says access to reproductive health care should be a constitutional right. | No public position found yet |
| Foreign Policy | Calls for ending the U.S. military conflict with Iran, which he says has raised gas prices. | No public position found yet |
| Guns | No public position found yet | Says he will defend Second Amendment rights. |
| Health Care | Supports Medicare for All, says he would reverse Medicaid cuts affecting rural hospitals, and says he would stand up to drug companies on prices. | No public position found yet |
| Immigration | No public position found yet | Says he will "fight to finish the wall, end illegal immigration, and restore law and order." |
| Taxes | No public position found yet | Supports lower taxes and less regulation for Maine families and businesses. |