Maine Primary Secures State Auditor Matt Dunlap as Democratic House Nominee

State Auditor Matt Dunlap—a progressive Democrat—secured the Democratic nomination for Maine’s second congressional district on Friday, officials announced.

The decisive call came ten days after voting, when election workers tallied second‑choice ballots under Maine’s ranked‑choice system because no candidate achieved an outright majority of first‑choice votes.

Dunlap, 61, advanced from a field of four, including centrist state senator Joe Baldacci and progressive former congressional staffer Jordan Wood. He had trailed Baldacci in the initial count but was carried to victory by the transfer of second‑choice support.

Baldacci was named runner‑up, according to the Maine Secretary of State office, after a protracted vote‑counting process.

In November, Dunlap will face Republican nominee former Gov. Paul LePage in the general election.

The district—Maine’s Second—is currently represented by Rep. Jared Golden, a centrist Democrat who is stepping down. Historically, the rural area leans right; President Trump won it in 2016, 2020, and 2024. It represents a prime opportunity for Republicans to flip a House seat in the midterms.

Dunlap has positioned himself against Golden, questioning the former’s alignment with Republicans on key issues.

“His votes confused many voters,” Dunlap said in a recent interview.

His victory came despite an early challenge from the House Democratic Campaign Committee, which had backed Baldacci, a moderate. The committee later noted that a mysterious PAC, Real Change, contributed over $500,000, alleging it was a Republican interference attempt. Dunlap’s campaign asserted it had directed the PAC not to spend on its race.

Dunlap distinguished his platform from the “incremental approach” he associated with Baldacci, instead advocating for universal health and child care.

He formerly served as Maine Secretary of State from 2005 to 2011 and again from 2013 to 2021. With a background that includes working as a line cook, fur trapper, and nonprofit administrator, he hails from a Bar Harbor farm and now resides in Old Town.

In the general election, Dunlap will go up against LePage, a two‑term governor known for his combative style. LePage once described himself as “Donald Trump before Donald Trump.”

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