Democratic Representative Jared Golden of Maine has endorsed Republican Congressman Mike Lawler of New York in the upcoming Hudson Valley House race, breaking ranks with his party in one of the most competitive contests that could influence control of the House of Representatives.
Golden, who in 2025 announced he would not seek re-election, praised Lawler as a committed legislator in an op-ed published Monday. He described Lawler as a “true partner” amid a polarized Congress and urged voters in New York’s Hudson Valley to support him. Golden emphasized the importance of lawmakers who prioritize policy work over political posturing, stating that the choice in the Hudson Valley race contrasts those approaches.
The endorsement highlights bipartisan cooperation, referencing Lawler’s role in advancing the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act, a bill approved by the House earlier in September. The legislation postpones until 2035 new federal fishing regulations aimed at marine mammal protection. Golden noted that these regulations would have directly threatened around 18,000 fishing jobs in Maine by restricting lobster fishing practices to protect endangered whales.
Golden’s backing of Lawler, who faces a tough re-election battle as Republicans seek to maintain their hold on the House, underscores the impact of regional and issue-based alliances that cross party lines. Lawler, representing New York’s Hudson Valley, has positioned himself as a pragmatic lawmaker willing to collaborate on policies affecting working families, including those outside his constituency, a stance Golden acknowledged in his endorsement.
The House race in the Hudson Valley remains closely watched, with both parties channeling resources as the balance of power in Congress hangs in the balance. Golden’s endorsement marks a rare departure from party unity but reflects longstanding bipartisan cooperation on specific industry concerns such as fisheries and environmental regulation.
As the election approaches, voters in the Hudson Valley will weigh these considerations alongside broader national political dynamics that continue to shape the legislative landscape.