Rep. Jared Golden endorses Rep. Mike Lawler for re-election

<p>Outgoing Representative Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine, has endorsed his colleague Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, for re-election in an opinion piece published ahead of the 2026 midterm election.</p><p>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. In New York's Hudson Valley this fall, that is the choice on the ballot. Mike Lawler has been a true partner to me and a friend to fishing families he will never represent."</p><p>He added, "I strongly back him, and I hope voters send him back to work. Wherever you live, find the members who pass laws with the other party, and keep them."</p><p>Golden has served in the House of Representatives since early 2019 and announced last year that he would not seek re-election in 2026.</p><p>Lawler, who has been in the House since early 2023, is currently campaigning for re-election this year.</p><p>In response to the endorsement, Lawler expressed, "It’s an honor and a privilege to accept the endorsement of my friend, Democratic Congressman Jared Golden," in a post on X.</p><p>He further commented, "While we are from different parties and different states, Jared and I have worked during our time together in the House to find common ground on issues that matter both to us and our constituents. We share a firm belief that what’s best for the people should come before one’s party, and that if more members on both sides of the aisle took that approach more often, the country would be better off for it."</p><p>Lawler is facing Democratic candidate Cait Conley in the contest for New York's 17th Congressional District.</p><p>Conley, a combat veteran, has served as the National Security Council director for counterterrorism and has also worked with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.</p><p>Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg rallied with Conley last week and stated in a post on X that he was "proud to be in Cait’s corner."</p>