Rep. Golden says VP Harris needs to earn his vote

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden. (via Congressman Jared Golden/Facebook)

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden will not commit to voting for Vice President Kamala Harris — if she ends up being the Democratic nominee for president — but said he looks “forward to learning more about what kind of leader she would be.” 

Golden, who is running for reelection in a tight race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, said he expects “to have to work to earn Mainers’ votes,” and presidential candidates should expect the same. 

“Our choice in leaders should never be a knee-jerk decision driven solely by party loyalty,” he said in a statement Thursday. 

Golden said he hopes Harris will “affirm her commitment to public safety and the rule of law,” especially with her background as a former prosecutor and Attorney General of California. He specifically mentioned securing the border, stopping fentanyl from entering communities and going after white-collar criminals who rip off the working class. 

On Thursday, Golden was among just six Democratic members of the U.S. House to join Republicans in passing a resolution condemning  President Joe Biden and Harris for the administration’s immigration policies.

Golden also said he’s curious about the vice president’s plans to reduce costs for people in Maine, protect Social Security and Medicare, “safeguard our children’s future and prosperity and maintain America’s leadership on the world stage.”

Maine’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention have already voted unanimously to back Harris as a state delegation, helping her become the likely party nominee. Other Democratic leaders in Maine including Gov. Janet Mills, Maine Sec. of State Shenna Bellows and fellow U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree have publicly backed Harris.

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