AUGUSTA — The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is endorsing Democratic State Auditor Matt Dunlap in the race for the 2nd Congressional District.

“If elected he will fight against the efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and cut Medicaid, which have blocked Mainers from getting the care they need and led to health center closures throughout rural Maine,” Alexis McGill Johnson, the fund’s president and CEO, said in a statement.

Dunlap is running against former Republican Gov. Paul LePage for the seat in Congress. Both are hoping to win the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat who is not seeking reelection.

The race is considered key to Republican hopes of keeping control of the House and for Democrats seeking to flip it blue. 

The Cook Political Report lists the race as “likely Republican,” although House Speaker Mike Johnson visited Maine on Monday as part of a tour to promote Republican candidates across the country.

In a statement, Dunlap said a 2022 Supreme Court decision to overturn abortion rights has led to uncertainty.

“Mainers deserve a congressman who will protect their right to choose,” he said. “I’m in this race to fight for your reproductive freedom.”

The Dunlap campaign pointed to previous statements from LePage about abortion, including a 2016 comment during his time as governor that “we should not have abortion.” 

The LePage campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the Planned Parenthood endorsement.