personal office staff.

On June 26, Golden won the Democratic primary 49 percent to 42 percent against wealthy environmental activist Lucas St. Clair, whose liberalism and recent residency in Portland likely would have doomed him in November. Now, Golden plans to contrast himself as a "Marine who runs into fire" against an incumbent who "ducks into bathrooms" when asked which way he'll vote on repealing the ACA.

The 2nd CD has a strong union Democratic heritage but a proud independent streak. It's 94 percent white and 22 percent of adults hold college degrees. For over a decade it reelected pro-life Democrat Mike Michaud, and in 2012, it voted for Barack Obama by nine points. But in 2014, GOP Gov. Paul LePage trampled Michaud here. In 2016, it gave Donald Trumpits lone electoral vote, 51 percent to 41 percent.

However, Golden has a base in union-heavy Lewiston and is the type of Democrat who could take advantage of a favorable national environment. In some ways, he could be Maine's version of Conor Lamb: he's pro-choice but pro-tariff, pledges he won't support Nancy Pelosi for speaker and won't be afraid to talk about his experiences leading troops in combat or demonstrate his facility with firearms in ads.

Democrats argue the political environment has changed dramatically here since 2016, thanks to the GOP's healthcare and tax bills, both of which Poliquin supported. In fall 2017, the 2nd CD voted by four points for a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid over LePage's objections. Poliquin backers suggest that's a misleading indicator, because the pro-expansion