Democrat Golden backs GOP’s Lawler in tough New York race

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Trending on The Hill - September 21, 2026

Trending on The Hill - September 21, 2026

Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) this week endorsed Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), crossing the aisle to support the Republican in one of the closest — and most closely watched — contests of the midterm cycle. 

The move is sure to frustrate Democrats, who are fighting to flip control of the lower chamber and see Lawler’s seat as among the best pickup opportunities in November’s elections.

Writing Monday in a local New York paper, Golden said Lawler, who’s vying for a third term in New York’s Hudson Valley, is an independent thinker — one willing to shed partisan loyalties to get things done — and that voters should return him to Congress next year. 

“He would rather pass a bill with the other party than score a point against it,” Golden wrote in The Journal News of Rockland County.

Lawler was quick to welcome the bipartisan support on Monday, characterizing Golden as a “servant leader.” 

“Time and again when we needed bipartisan compromise, Jared was always there ready to deliver,” Lawler wrote on the social platform X. “I’m honored to have earned his support.”

On........

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