Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), who is not seeking reelection, publicly endorsed Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) in a Sept. 21 op-ed published in The Journal News and Lohud. Golden called Lawler a ‘true partner’ and urged voters to reelect the Republican incumbent in New York’s 17th Congressional District.
Lawler, who has represented the Hudson Valley district since 2023, faces Cait Conley, a Democrat and Army veteran, in the general election. The endorsement marks one of the most high-profile cross-party supports in the current election cycle.
Golden’s endorsement highlighted Lawler’s bipartisan work on the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, which extends a six-year pause on new federal regulations for Maine’s lobster industry until 2035. The bill passed the House in July with bipartisan support and aims to address concerns over North Atlantic right whale protections.
Golden’s Rationale
Golden, a centrist Democrat who has increasingly broken with his party in recent weeks, cited Lawler’s collaboration on the lobster industry bill and other bipartisan efforts as key reasons for his endorsement. In his op-ed, Golden emphasized Lawler’s willingness to support legislation benefiting constituents outside his district.
“Mike Lawler has been a true partner to me and a friend to fishing families he will never represent,” Golden wrote. “I strongly back him, and I hope voters send him back to work.”
Golden also noted that Lawler cosponsored the lobster industry bill despite having no lobster boats in his district, stating that Lawler’s support was driven by principle rather than political gain.
Lawler’s Response
Lawler responded to the endorsement on X (formerly Twitter), calling it an honor and reiterating his commitment to bipartisanship.
“While we are from different parties and different states, Jared and I have worked during our time together in the House to find common ground on issues that matter both to us and our constituents,” Lawler wrote. “We share a firm belief that what’s best for the people should come before one’s party.”
Political Context
Golden’s endorsement comes as he has defied party lines in recent weeks, joining Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) in voting with House Republicans to advance legislation, including a Russia and Iran sanctions bill. Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez defended their votes, citing support for specific bills and procedural fairness.
Lawler represents one of three House Republican districts carried by then-Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, making his race a battleground for control of the House. Conley, his Democratic opponent, has not publicly responded to Golden’s endorsement.
Background on the Lobster Industry Bill
The Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act was introduced in response to federal regulations targeting the North Atlantic right whale, which critics argued were based on flawed data. A federal appeals court vacated the restrictions in 2021, and Congress passed a six-year pause on new rules in 2022. The new bill extends that pause and funds additional research to improve whale protection models.
Golden criticized federal regulators for imposing rules without sufficient scientific backing, stating that Maine’s lobstermen had already complied with conservation efforts. The bill passed the House Natural Resources Committee in July and the full House in September with bipartisan support.