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R Republican · U.S. House 2, Maine · Nov 3, 2026

Paul
R. LePage

Former two-term Maine Governor Paul LePage is the 2026 Republican candidate for Maine's 2nd Congressional District.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
25
positions
12
endorsements
6
paullepage.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Matthew G. Dunlap D Compare race →

Background

Paul R. LePage is a Republican politician from Lewiston, Maine, who served as Governor of Maine for two terms from 2011 to 2019. 12 Before his governorship, he served as Mayor of Waterville from 2004 to 2011 and was a two-term member of the Waterville City Council. 114 LePage earned a B.S. in Business Administration in Finance/Accounting from Husson College and an MBA from the University of Maine. 1

Before entering politics, LePage had a long career in business management, including work in manufacturing and serving as general manager of Marden's stores, and became a turnaround specialist providing executive, operations, and financial advice. 14

In 2026, LePage is the Republican candidate for Maine's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3 general election, running against Democratic candidate Matt Dunlap for the open seat vacated by Rep. Jared Golden, who did not seek re-election. 79 Speaker of the House Mike Johnson endorsed LePage in August 2026. 16

At a glance

Party
Republican
Running for
U.S. House · District 2, Maine
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Website
paullepage.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Date unknown
    endorsement
    LePage receives NRA endorsement

    The National Rifle Association endorsed LePage for the Maine 2nd Congressional District race. Campaign-reference reporting lists the endorsement date as August 6.

  2. Date unknown
    endorsement
    U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses LePage

    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed LePage for the Maine 2nd Congressional District race. Campaign-reference reporting lists the endorsement date as August 13.

    Democrat polls show close race in Maine 2nd District · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 12
    news
    LePage touts national support at Lewiston campaign event

    LePage held a campaign event in Lewiston where he highlighted national support for his congressional bid ahead of the November 3 general election.

    Paul LePage touts national support at campaign event in Lewiston · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 11
    endorsement
    Elon Musk's America PAC spends $21,000 on ads supporting LePage

    Reporting indicated that Elon Musk's America PAC was spending $21,000 on advertisements supporting LePage in Maine's 2nd Congressional District race.

    Musk PAC takes aim at Maine congressional races · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 2
    news
    Analysis: LePage embraces Trump brand but breaks with some Trump policies at debate

    Post-debate analysis noted LePage touted his ties to Donald Trump while hedging on specific Trump policies including Canada tariffs and the Iran conflict, drawing contrasts with Dunlap on their approaches to the president.

    Analysis: Paul LePage Embraces Trump, But Not His ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Oct 2
    news
    NRCC rates ME-02 as on the brink of flipping Republican

    The National Republican Congressional Committee released new House power rankings promoting ME-02 as a seat Republicans could flip, reflecting party optimism about LePage's chances.

    New House Power Rankings: ME-02 on the Brink of ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Oct 1
    debate
    LePage and Dunlap face off in first televised debate on WMTW

    In an hourlong WMTW forum, LePage disagreed with Trump's Canada tariffs in their current form, opposed the Iran war but also opposed a congressional war-powers resolution, opposed new limits on immigration agents, and said higher earners should pay more into Social Security.

    Paul LePage touts ties to Donald Trump while hedging on ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 30
    news
    LePage joins House Majority Whip Emmer at Lewiston fraud roundtable

    LePage appeared in Lewiston with House Majority Whip Tom Emmer at a discussion focused on alleged fraud involving MaineCare providers. LePage argued the federal government should step in when the state fails to act.

    House Republican joins Paul LePage on the campaign trail · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 25
    poll
    UNH poll shows Dunlap leading LePage 51%–45%

    A University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll of 627 likely district voters (conducted Sept. 17–21) put Democrat Matt Dunlap ahead of LePage 51% to 45%, with 5% undecided and a ±3.9 point margin of error — a notable result in a Republican-leaning district. The same report noted LePage had Trump's endorsement.

    Matt Dunlap leads Paul LePage in 2nd District race, UNH ... · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Sep 17
    poll
    Democratic-aligned polls show near-tied race in ME-02

    Two polls promoted by Democratic groups showed the contest extremely close: one at 49%–49%, and another with LePage ahead by one point. LePage's spokesman questioned the results given the polls' Democratic sponsors.

    🚨 NEW POLLS: Dead Heat in ME-02 as Matt Dunlap Gains Momentum - DCCC · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  11. Jun 9
    filing
    LePage wins Republican primary nomination unopposed

    Paul LePage won the Republican nomination for Maine's 2nd Congressional District without a challenger, securing his place on the November 3 general election ballot.

    Matt Dunlap leads Paul LePage in 2nd District race, UNH ... · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Maine Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) union
    The Maine FOP, representing more than 1,000 officers, endorsed LePage citing his record as governor on law enforcement. newscentermaine.com · Sep 21, 2026
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson official
    Johnson endorsed LePage at an Auburn event, calling him 'one of the most qualified and competent people for the job.' wgme.com · Aug 17, 2026
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce organization
    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed LePage for Maine's 2nd Congressional District. uschamber.com · Aug 13, 2026
  • National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) organization
    NRA-PVF chair John Commerford cited LePage's 'strong, solid support for the Second Amendment.' bangordailynews.com · Aug 6, 2026
  • President Donald Trump official
    Trump first endorsed LePage for Congress in late 2025 and reaffirmed his 'Complete and Total Endorsement' on June 8, 2026. themainewire.com · Jun 8, 2026
  • Vice President JD Vance official
    Vance boosted LePage's congressional bid at a Bangor rally, stumping for his election. mainepublic.org · May 14, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$2.56M
Spent
$878K
Cash on hand
$1.69M

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6ME02148(opens in a new tab)

Sources 25

  1. [1] Paul LePage touts national support at campaign event in Lewiston(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  2. [2] Musk PAC takes aim at Maine congressional races(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  3. [3] Paul LePage — 2026 Maine's 2nd Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  4. [4] Analysis: Paul LePage Embraces Trump, But Not His ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  5. [5] LePage for Congress - Paul LePage is(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  6. [6] LePage, Dunlap Clash Over Fraud, Health Care, Energy and Cost ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  7. [7] New House Power Rankings: ME-02 on the Brink of ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  8. [8] Podcast Special: Burning it Down — LePage and the Climate(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  9. [9] Republican battleground candidate opposes Iran war but won't challenge Trump's war powers(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  10. [10] Paul LePage touts ties to Donald Trump while hedging on ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  11. [11] House Republican joins Paul LePage on the campaign trail(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  12. [12] Matt Dunlap leads Paul LePage in 2nd District race, UNH ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  13. [13] Maine FOP Endorses LePage in 2nd District Race, Citing ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  14. [14] Mainer Fraternal Order of Police endorses Paul LePage in CD2 race(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  15. [15] 🚨 NEW POLLS: Dead Heat in ME-02 as Matt Dunlap Gains Momentum - DCCC(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  16. [16] Democrat polls show close race in Maine 2nd District(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  17. [17] Speaker of the House Mike Johnson endorses Paul ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 17, 2026
  18. [18] Paul LePage(opens in a new tab) Aug 13, 2026
  19. [19] U.S. Chamber Endorses Candidate Paul LePage for ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 13, 2026
  20. [20] Everything Paul LePage told reporters as he rolled out an NRA endorsement(opens in a new tab) Aug 6, 2026
  21. [21] Paul LePage endorsed by NRA in 2nd Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 6, 2026
  22. [22] Fate of Medicare, Medicaid emerge as key issue in 2nd District race(opens in a new tab) Jul 31, 2026
  23. [23] Trump Renews LePage Endorsement, Predicts Dunlap Will be the Democratic Nominee(opens in a new tab) Jun 8, 2026
  24. [24] Vice President Vance slams Gov. Janet Mills on welfare fraud during Bangor rally(opens in a new tab) May 14, 2026
  25. [25] Former Gov. Paul LePage says Maine elections hard to rig ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 10, 2022
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