AUGUSTA — A group of politically active women endorsed State Auditor Matt Dunlap Monday in the race for the 2nd Congressional District.
“Matt has never forgotten where he comes from or who he’s fighting for,” said Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor. “He understands the struggles families are dealing with right now — the rising cost of groceries, the impossible cost of childcare, and the constant worry about whether you can afford the healthcare your family needs.”
Dunlap, a Democrat, faces two opponents in the June primary for the nomination. Former congressional staffer Jordan Wood and former Kennebec County Democratic Committee Secretary Louis Sigel have also announced intentions to run for the post.
However, others could join the race following the surprise November announcement by incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden that he will not seek reelection to a fifth term.
Although Golden won election to the district four times, voters there also supported President Donald Trump over Democratic opponents in the last three election cycles.
Dunlap entered the race in October before Golden dropped out. He said he’s not worried about rumors that other high-profile Democrats could decide to run or that national Democratic groups may be looking to recruit other candidates.
“This is why they are in the minority,” Dunlap said. “You cannot engineer who your candidates are going to be. You need to trust the voters and let them make that decision ultimately.”
Joanne D’Arcangelo, a political consultant and former Democratic legislative staffer, praised Dunlap for his support “for a woman’s right to safe and legal abortion care” and access to contraception and cancer screening.
Dunlap is a former four-term state lawmaker from Old Town who served as Secretary of State for 14 years. During his time as a legislator, he once voted in support of a bill that would have put a 24-hour waiting period in place before an abortion could be performed.
He explained that vote Monday, saying that he knew Democrats had the votes to reject it, so he felt free to vote for it in response to a request from a group of constituents.
“It was one vote 22 years ago that came out in some opposition research,” he said. “It’s a good lesson for folks that your votes are always part of the permanent record. I was not a pro-life member at all.”
In his remarks at the Women’s Hall of Fame at the University of Maine at Augusta, Dunlap emphasized his commitment to families and his recognition that childcare and grocery costs are difficult for many to afford.
“That’s why I support universal childcare and bringing back the expanded Child Tax Credit that lifted countless children out of poverty,” he said. “And I’ll always fight to protect reproductive freedom and ensure equal pay for equal work.”
The winner of the June Democratic primary will face Republican former two-term Gov. Paul LePage or Army veteran James Clark of East Machias, who recently launched a campaign for the seat.