Senator Angus King Endorses Matt Dunlap in Maine
The independent senator backs the state auditor for Maine's 2nd Congressional District seat.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Elections
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Independent U.S. Senator Angus King has officially endorsed state auditor Matt Dunlap for Maine's 2nd Congressional District. King released an endorsement video praising Dunlap as a tough and smart leader.
Why it matters
King is attempting to bolster Dunlap's candidacy as he faces Republican challenger Paul LePage in a district that has backed Donald Trump three times. The endorsement specifically highlights Dunlap's background as an advocate for Maine's sportsmen and women.
Decision Desk HQ currently favors Paul LePage to win the seat in what forecasters rank as a top five nationwide race. This follows the National Rifle Association's decision to issue an endorsement for LePage in the summer of 2026.
The players
Angus King
An independent U.S. Senator from Maine who is currently serving his third term.
Matt Dunlap
The current Maine State Auditor and former state representative who is running for the 2nd Congressional District.
Paul LePage
The former Governor of Maine and the current Republican candidate for the 2nd Congressional District seat.
Donald Trump
The current President of the United States who won Maine's 2nd Congressional District three times.
Hannah Pingree
A political figure who received an endorsement from Senator Angus King for governor in September 2026.
The details
King leveraged his own political history in Augusta to advocate for Dunlap, who previously served as a state representative from Old Town and led the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine. The endorsement serves as a direct pushback against the Republican campaign in a district where previous incumbent Jared Golden served four terms.
Timeline
Summer 2026: The National Rifle Association endorsed Paul LePage.
September 2026: Angus King endorsed Hannah Pingree for governor.
October 27, 2026: Angus King announced his endorsement of Matt Dunlap.
Political Context
The opposition from Republican supporters remains strong, with critics pointing to the National Rifle Association's backing of Paul LePage as a counter-balance to King's influence. Party loyalists emphasize that the district's recent electoral history favors the Republican platform.
The outcome of this race will determine which candidate represents the district in Washington for the next term. Voters should track final candidate filings and local polling to understand how the shifting district political landscape may affect local policy priorities.
The takeaway
The race for the 2nd Congressional District continues to tighten as high-profile endorsements attempt to sway the final tally. Voters are encouraged to review the official candidate platforms to understand the potential impacts on regional representation.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming vote, visit the Maine Elections section.
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