Politics
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Independent U.S. Sen. Angus King on Tuesday endorsed Democratic state Auditor Matt Dunlap in his 2nd Congressional District bid against Republican former Gov. Paul LePage.
The former governor, who caucuses with Democrats and is now in his third Senate term, made an endorsement video crediting Dunlap, a former state representative from Old Town, for his strong advocacy for his district while their time in Augusta overlapped.
“When you serve as governor, you get to know a lot of legislators, but one I particularly remember is Matt Dunlap … because he was tough and smart,” King said.
The announcement marked a boost for Dunlap from one of the few political voices left on the sidelines in the 2026 election. Forecasters see the Democrat as an underdog but still competitive in the district won three times by President Donald Trump. Centrist Rep. Jared Golden is leaving his seat after four terms.
The latest polls from Democratic pollsters and the University of New Hampshire showed Dunlap with a narrow lead, but LePage is still narrowly favored to take the seat back for Republicans, according to Decision Desk HQ, the Bangor Daily News’ election results partner.
In his endorsement video, King appealed to the 2nd District’s gun owners, referencing Dunlap’s time leading the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine.
“He also has been a strong advocate for the sportsmen and women of Maine,” King said. “In fact, he has a hunting license. He can represent the whole Second District. I think Matt will be a great member of Congress, and I look forward to working with him.”
On top of endorsements from President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, who said the race was in the “top five” nationwide, the National Rifle Association endorsed LePage this summer. The sportsman’s alliance issued A+ ratings to both without endorsing.
The endorsement from King, now in his third term on Capitol Hill, is a rare one. He endorsed Democratic nominee for governor Hannah Pingree, the former Maine House speaker, in September. He backed Republican Sen. Susan Collins for reelection in 2014.
But their relationship has been frostier of late. He did not pick a side in Collins’ 2020 race with Democrat Sara Gideon, but his wife, Mary Herman, appeared in a Gideon ad. King’s 2024 challenger, Demi Kouzounas, said she chose to run after getting a supportive call from Collins, who did not formally endorse in the race.
Asked about the lack of an endorsement in Collins’ race with Democrat Troy Jackson, King’s office said Monday it’s in keeping with his longstanding practice to not weigh in on races that involve his colleagues across the political spectrum. The senator believes it could undercut progress with whomever wins come next year if he was previously pushing against them.
Dunlap in a statement said he worked closely with King on sportsmen issues in particular. He said he was honored to have the senator’s support and looked forward to working with him in Washington if elected, particularly on lowering prices.
“Mainers are frustrated by high prices on home heating oil, groceries, hockey sticks, and pretty much everything else under the sun,” he said. “We’ve got to end the war that’s keeping gas prices high and end the tariff taxes that are keeping grocery prices high.”
