Did Mike Michaud win his 2nd District elections by larger margins than Jared Golden? | Fact brief

Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud won his 2nd Congressional District races by wider margins on average than incumbent Rep. Jared Golden.

According to nonpartisan election data site Ballotpedia, Michaud won by 4 points in 2002, 18.5 points in 2004, 41 points in 2006, 34.8 points in 2008, 10.3 points in 2010 and 16.4 points in 2012 — an average margin of victory of 20.2 points.

Golden won by 1.2 points in 2018, 6.1 points in 2020, 6.1 points in 2022 and 0.7 points in 2024. His average margin was 3.5 points — about one-sixth the size of Michaud’s.

Political scientists say the 2nd District has shifted to the right as part of a broader polarization trend between rural and urban areas.

Golden announced in November that he will not seek reelection, citing increased polarization, violence, and threats against him and his family. Michaud left Congress in 2015 after an unsuccessful run for governor.