Democratic Rep. Jared Golden endorses Republican Rep. Mike Lawler for re-election in New York over fellow Dem Cait Conley, calling him ‘a true partner’ and ‘a friend to fishing families he will never represent’
Rep. Jared Golden, a Maine Democrat, is endorsing Republican Rep. Mike Lawler for another term in Congress.
Golden, who is retiring in January 2027, announced his support for Lawler through the USA Today Network.
He said their work together on issues affecting Northeast fishing communities made Lawler “a true partner.”
‘Send him back to work’
Lawler is running for reelection in New York’s 17th Congressional District against Democratic nominee Cait Conley.
In his endorsement, Golden focused on how he and Lawler have found common ground despite their party differences.
“Mike Lawler has been a true partner to me and a friend to fishing families he will never represent,” he wrote.
“I strongly back him, and I hope voters send him back to work.”
Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act
A big part of Golden’s reasoning came down to the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, a bipartisan measure he and Lawler worked together to get through Congress.
The legislation would keep the current rules for the Northeast’s American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries in place through 2035.
The House passed the bill 219-196 on September 1, and it is now before the Senate.
Putting party aside
Golden noted that Lawler’s district has no lobster fishery, meaning the Republican supported the measure despite having no connection to the industry.
“He got no votes in this and no headlines back home,” Golden wrote.
“He signed on because a historic American industry, thousands of fishing families, and the principle that federal rules should be built on facts were all on the line.”
Golden said the lobster legislation was a good example of Republicans and Democrats putting their differences aside to help their communities.
“That is how Congress is supposed to work: members of different parties set aside their disagreements, find a problem that matters to the country and fix it,” he added.
Accepting the endorsement
Lawler gladly accepted Golden’s support, writing, “It’s an honor and a privilege to accept the endorsement of my friend, Democratic Congressman Jared Golden.”
He added that the two had “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,” he concluded.