Dem Rep. Golden Endorses GOP's Lawler in Key House Race

Democratic Representative Jared Golden of Maine endorsed Republican Representative Mike Lawler of New York for reelection in an op-ed published Monday, marking a rare cross-party endorsement in a competitive House race that could influence the balance of power in Congress. Golden, who is not seeking reelection, praised Lawler as "a true partner" and "one of the most bipartisan members of Congress," citing their collaboration on the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act. The endorsement, published in a local news outlet, highlighted the bipartisan passage of the lobster industry bill, which passed the House earlier this month with a 219-196 vote and has been sent to the Senate. Golden emphasized that Lawler supported the legislation despite his district having no lobster fishery, arguing it demonstrated a commitment to problem-solving over political gain. Lawler, who represents a swing district in the Hudson Valley that former Vice President Kamala Harris carried in 2024, welcomed the support.