Democrat Jared Golden Breaks With Party to Endorse Republican Mike Lawler in Key New York House Race

Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine has crossed party lines to endorse Republican Rep. Mike Lawler for reelection in New York, giving the GOP incumbent a notable boost in one of the country’s closely watched House races. Golden, who is retiring from Congress at the end of his current term, announced his support in an opinion piece published Monday.

Golden said his endorsement was based largely on his experience working with Lawler in Congress. He described the New York Republican as a “true partner” who has been willing to work across party lines rather than treating every issue as a partisan battle.

One example Golden highlighted was their work on the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act. The legislation would extend a pause on new federal regulations affecting Maine’s lobster industry until 2035. Golden noted that Lawler helped advance the measure even though his New York district does not have a lobster industry of its own.

Golden also pointed to their cooperation on legislation restoring collective bargaining protections for federal workers. He argued that those experiences demonstrated Lawler’s willingness to support legislation from members of the opposing party when he believed the policy was worthwhile.

The endorsement is particularly notable because Lawler is facing Democrat Cait Conley in New York’s 17th Congressional District. The Hudson Valley district supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, making Lawler one of a small number of Republicans representing districts carried by the Democratic presidential nominee that year.

Golden has developed a reputation during his congressional career for occasionally breaking with Democratic leadership. The Maine Democrat is not seeking another term in November and has said increasing political hostility and threats against his family contributed to his decision to leave Congress.

Lawler welcomed the endorsement, saying he was honored to receive Golden’s support. He said the two lawmakers have repeatedly found common ground despite belonging to different parties and argued that their working relationship demonstrates how members of Congress can cooperate without agreeing on every political issue.

Democratic leaders reacted sharply. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Golden’s decision and reiterated his support for Conley, while other Democrats expressed frustration that a member of their own party was backing a Republican in a competitive race that could affect control of the House.

Golden nevertheless stood by his decision, arguing that voters should reward lawmakers who demonstrate an ability to work with the opposing party and produce legislation. He said Lawler had been willing to help Maine fishing families despite having little direct political incentive to do so.

The unusual cross-party endorsement adds another element to the closely contested race between Lawler and Conley. Golden’s support gives Lawler the backing of a sitting Democratic congressman, while Democratic leaders remain firmly behind Conley as both parties compete for the Hudson Valley seat ahead of the November midterms.