Democrat Jared Golden says Harris will need to 'work' for Maine votes

Democratic Maine Rep. Jared Golden on Wednesday refrained from endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, stating that she would still need to work to earn the support of Maine voters.

The majority of Democratic lawmakers have rallied around Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee now that President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race over the weekend. But Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has also withheld his endorsement, claiming he needs to see more from the vice president first.

Golden, who previously said he expects former President Donald Trump to win the election in November, said he looks forward to seeing more from Harris, but that presidential candidates should work for votes.

“I expect to have to work to earn Mainers’ votes and our candidates for president should expect the same,” Golden said in a statement to The Hill. “Kamala Harris has been a candidate for president for less than a week and I look forward to learning more what kind of leader she would be.”

The moderate Democrat said that he hopes Harris will lean into her background as California's former attorney general, and help stop the illegal flow of fentanyl into the country. He also expressed interest in her stance on other issues like Social Security.

“I am curious to know her plans to lower costs for Mainers, protect Social Security and Medicare, safeguard our children’s future and prosperity and maintain America’s leadership on the world stage,” Golden said. “Our choice in leaders should never be a knee-jerk decision driven solely by party loyalty.”

Golden previously stopped short of calling for Biden to exit the race after a debate performance shook supporters, but said it was clear that Trump would win the general election in November. He also rejected assertions that a Trump presidency would be dangerous to democracy. 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.