Jared Golden (politician)

Jared Golden (politician)
Name	Jared Golden
Birth date	25 July 1982
Birth place	Lewiston, Maine
Party	Democratic Party
Spouse	Cate Golden
Alma mater	University of Maine at Farmington
Rank	United States Marine Corps: Staff Sergeant

Jared Golden (politician)

Jared Golden is an American politician and United States Marine Corps veteran who serves as the U.S. Representative for Maine's 2nd congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected in 2018 and is noted for representing a largely rural constituency that includes parts of Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston, and Aroostook County. Golden's career links veterans' advocacy, regional economic issues, and bipartisan work in the House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Golden was born in Lewiston, Maine and raised in Raymond, Maine near Sebago Lake, the son of a family with roots in Androscoggin County, Maine and Cumberland County, Maine. He graduated from Lake Region High School (Maine) before attending the University of Maine at Farmington, where he studied history and political science and engaged with student organizations connected to statewide groups such as the Maine Education Association and community programs in Portland, Maine. During his formative years he participated in activities tied to regional institutions including Bates College outreach programs and local chapters of national organizations like the American Legion.

Military service and career

After college Golden enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving as an infantryman and deploying in support of operations tied to the Iraq War and broader Global War on Terrorism. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant and earned decorations associated with National Defense Service Medal and other campaign awards, serving at units that coordinate with the Marine Corps Reserve and veteran-support groups such as the Wounded Warrior Project. Following active duty, Golden worked on veterans' issues in Maine and engaged with organizations like the Department of Veterans Affairs regional offices, the Disabled American Veterans, and state-level initiatives in the Maine Department of Veterans' Services.

Maine political career

Golden entered state and local politics working with activists aligned with the Maine Democratic Party and municipal leaders in Lewiston, Maine and Auburn, Maine. He served in roles that connected him to statewide campaigns including those of figures such as Angus King and Janet Mills, aligning with policy efforts on rural development tied to agencies like the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine Office of Tourism. Golden's early political activity intersected with nonprofit organizations including AmeriCorps affiliates and workforce development programs coordinated with the Maine Department of Labor.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elected to Congress in 2018, Golden represents Maine's 2nd district in the United States House of Representatives, working within the Democratic Caucus and interacting with committees and members such as those from the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the House Committee on Agriculture. He has served alongside Maine colleagues including Chellie Pingree and engaged with federal agencies like the Department of Agriculture (United States), the Department of Defense, and the Small Business Administration on district priorities. Golden's tenure has involved participation in caucuses including the Problem Solvers Caucus and collaboration with governors such as Paul LePage and Janet Mills on state-federal initiatives.

Political positions and voting record

Golden's positions reflect a mix of regional priorities and national debates: on energy and environment he has engaged with policy debates involving the Environmental Protection Agency and the Maine Public Utilities Commission; on labor and trade he has taken stances affecting stakeholders like the Maine AFL–CIO and the National Association of Manufacturers; on healthcare he has voted on legislation touching Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services programs and worked with providers including MaineHealth and Northern Light Health. On veterans' policy he has supported measures coordinated with the Department of Veterans Affairs and groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Golden's record includes votes on major national bills debated in the 116th United States Congress and 117th United States Congress, with positions that have drawn attention from organizations including the AARP and the League of Conservation Voters.

Electoral history

Golden won his first election to the U.S. House in 2018 in a closely watched contest involving Maine's ranked-choice voting implementation coordinated by the Maine Secretary of State and overseen by county officials in Franklin County, Maine and Penobscot County, Maine. He was reelected in subsequent cycles in contests involving opponents from the Republican Party such as Bruce Poliquin and Shawn Moody, with campaigns that engaged national party committees including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. His campaigns have involved fundraising and endorsements from groups like the Sierra Club Political Committee, the Democratic Governors Association, and veterans' organizations such as the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

Category:1982 births Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Maine Category:People from Lewiston, Maine Category:United States Marines Category:University of Maine at Farmington alumni