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Representative Jared Golden of Maine, a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition and the Democrat in the House with the most Republican-leaning district, said Wednesday he will not seek re-election in 2026. In a Bangor Daily News essay, the retired Marine cited rising incivility, threats to his family—including spending last Thanksgiving in a hotel—as reasons, not politics. Golden, a frequent party dissenter and the lone Democrat to back a Republican-led plan to keep the government open in September, urged open primaries. His early exit likely shifts this tossup seat toward Republicans.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.