Democrat Jared Golden Supports Republican Lawler's Re-election
WHO:
Fox News - Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine; Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.; Cait Conley, Democratic candidate; Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
CNN - Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine; Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.; Kamala Harris, Vice President; Democratic Party.
WHAT:
Fox News - Jared Golden stated, "The Congress we get is the one we elect, and the country needs fewer members who treat the job as a stage and more who treat it as work."
CNN - Golden described the political rhetoric that portrays fellow citizens as adversaries as "radical talk" and part of the "politics of fear" he has avoided throughout his career.
Fox News - Lawler is facing Democratic candidate Cait Conley, a combat veteran and former National Security Council director for counterterrorism, in the contest for New York's 17th Congressional District.
Fox News - Jared Golden endorsed Mike Lawler for re-election in an opinion piece.
Fox News - Lawler is currently seeking re-election in the 2026 midterm election.
CNN - Golden stated that Lawler is the kind of Republican that Democrats should be fighting to keep.
CNN - Golden voted twice with Republicans to advance procedural votes recently.
WHERE:
Fox News - New York's Hudson Valley; New York's 17th Congressional District; Tarrytown, N.Y.
CNN - Lawler's district is one of the few GOP-held seats that Kamala Harris won in the 2024 presidential election.
WHEN:
Fox News - Golden announced he would not run for re-election in 2026.
Fox News - Lawler took the stage at the 2026 Republican National Convention on Sept. 10, 2026.
Fox News - Pete Buttigieg attended a rally for Cait Conley on Sept. 16, 2026.
WHY:
Fox News - Golden believes the country needs fewer members who treat the job as a stage and more who treat it as work.
CNN - Golden argues that the gravest danger to the country is not fellow citizens, but rather the politics of fear.
HOW:
Fox News - Lawler expressed gratitude for Golden's endorsement, stating, "It’s an honor and a privilege to accept the endorsement of my friend, Democratic Congressman Jared Golden."
Fox News - Golden expressed his support for Lawler in an opinion piece, highlighting their collaboration on issues important to their constituents.
CNN - Golden praised Lawler for his work on a bill to support lobstermen, despite Lawler not benefiting politically from it.
(UPDATED September 22, 2026 16:59 UTC)
Jared Golden emphasized the importance of electing Congress members who view their roles as a serious responsibility rather than a performance, stating, "The Congress we get is the one we elect, and the country needs fewer members who treat the job as a stage and more who treat it as work." He also criticized the divisive political rhetoric that casts fellow citizens as enemies, labeling it "radical talk" and a part of the "politics of fear" that he has consistently avoided. Meanwhile, in New York's 17th Congressional District race, Republican candidate Lawler expressed his gratitude for Golden's endorsement, calling it "an honor and a privilege" to receive support from his friend, the Democratic Congressman.
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(UPDATED September 22, 2026 10:57 UTC)
In a surprising move, Representative Jared Golden of Maine has endorsed Republican Mike Lawler for re-election in an opinion piece, emphasizing their collaboration on key issues for their constituents. Golden, who recently voted with Republicans on procedural matters, believes Lawler represents the kind of Republican that Democrats should strive to keep in office, especially since Lawler's district is one of the few GOP-held seats that Kamala Harris won in the 2024 presidential election. As Lawler campaigns for re-election in the 2026 midterm elections, he recently took the stage at the Republican National Convention and received support from notable figures, including Pete Buttigieg, who rallied for Democratic candidate Cait Conley just days ago.