FORT KENT, Maine– Assistant Maine House Minority Leader Jared Golden (D) visited some local businesses and spoke with residents in the St. John Valley Thursday and Friday as part of “jobs tour,” just hours after announcing his bid seeking the Democratic nomination to run against U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R).
Assistant Maine House Minority Leader Jared Golden (D), stopped at Bouchard Family Farm, Friday as part of his first campaign tour. Golden announced his bid the day before, for the Democratic nomination to defeat U.S. Congressman Bruce Poliquin (R) in 2018.
(Don Eno)
“Consider it an introduction,” Golden said Friday morning during a stop at Bouchard Family Farm just outside of Fort Kent. “I am talking with people and telling them about my background and my reasons for running.”
The 35-year-old Marine veteran from Lewiston said he is also listening to what Maine residents are telling him.
“I want to see the different ways of making a living up here, and to take part,” said Golden, who grew up working at his family’s Springbrook Golf Course in Leeds.
Friday morning, Golden lent a hand fixing a tractor at the Bouchard farm and got a tour of the store and buckwheat processing facility.
“I’ve been talking with folks about government policies that are helping them or hurting them,” he said. “What does it take to help make their businesses sustainable?”
High taxes are one thing that hinders that sustainability, commented Joey Bouchard, who operates the family farm with his wife Janice, and who spoke with Golden Friday morning.
Other than that, however, Bouchard said he and many other business people do not rely very much on government policies.
“I would like to see the government do things that help our businesses grow,” Bouchard added, although he is not waiting around for that to happen.
Friday afternoon, Golden was planning to visit American Legion members and fellow veterans, and businesses in Millinocket, including Design Labs. Saturday, the legislator will visit with lobstermen in Beals.
“I have been in other boats while in the Marines, but this will be my first time in a lobster boat,” Golden said with a laugh.
Thursday evening Golden and a campaign aide spent time with residents, including Rep. John Martin, at the Eagle Lake Pub, where about 25 people had gathered, he said.
“We have been talking about trade and competition,” the candidate said. “People were excited when President Trump talked about changes to NAFTA. Now, that doesn’t seem to be happening.”
Although people talk about U.S. trade and border issues in terms of Mexico and Asia, Golden said his tour of northern Maine has made it clear that many of those issues also apply to the country’s relationship with Canada.
Golden’s initial tour of Maine as a U.S. congressional candidate focused on meeting with residents of rural Maine. Covering more than 27,000 square miles, Maine’s Second Congressional District is the largest district east of the Mississippi River and one of the most rural in the nation.
Golden is the fifth Democratic candidate to throw their hat in the ring against Poliquin, now in his second term, who defeated Democratic state lawmaker Emily Cain in 2016.
The other Democrats vying for a place on the ticket against Poliquin so far include include Tim Rich of Bar Harbor, Craig Olson of Islesboro, Jonathan Fulford of Monroe and Phil Cleaves of Dexter. Maine Democrats will pick their congressional candidate during a primary next June, prior the November general election.
