Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
43%
48%
Democrat
$28.3K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Matthew Dunlap is trading at 39% to win the ME-02 House winner? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleFormer State Executive Office
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age61 years old (Nov 26, 1964)
GenderMale
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LocationMaine
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Maine (BA)
Notable personal detailsMatthew Gordon Dunlap is a Maine Democratic politician and the Maine State Auditor. He previously served as Maine Secretary of State and as a member of the Maine House of Representatives. He is a candidate for Maine's 2nd Congressional District and won the June 9, 2026 Democratic primary via ranked-choice voting.
SourcesShowHide
maine.govfec.govmainepublic.orgen.wikipedia.orgmattdunlapforuscongress.comwebforms.fec.govdocquery.fec.govnrcc.orgcand.uscourts.govbuckscounty.govthecandidate.comsers.fec.govelections.ny.govelections.brazoscountytx.govde.wikipedia.orgbangordailynews.comsalon.compenbaypilot.comthemainemonitor.orgpressherald.comwmtw.comspectrumlocalnews.commainemorningstar.comnrcm.orgwashingtonpost.comwabi.tvthemainewire.comfairvote.orgthehill.comnewscentermaine.comhuffpost.comwsls.comnationalnursesunited.orgnotus.orgmaineaflcio.orgfacebook.cominstagram.comballotpedia.orgclickondetroit.comyoutube.comcongress.govhistory.house.govhouse.govoversight.house.govballotready.orgsenate.govstatic.votesmart.orggovinfo.govnass.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgcollins.senate.govdurbin.senate.govgrassley.senate.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports expanded social programs (Medicare-for-all, universal childcare, affordable housing) and pro-labor policies, favors lifting broad Trump-era tariffs while allowing targeted tariffs to address unfair trade practices, and backs measures like an expanded child tax credit. Positions emphasize increased public investment and worker protections rather than tax-cutting or austerity.
Healthcare
Supports moving toward a Medicare-for-All / single-payer system to expand universal coverage and reduce costs; advocates limiting the role of private insurers and pharmaceutical companies in deciding access to care; supports reproductive health access as part of health policy priorities.
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Immigration & Border
Supports limits on aggressive ICE enforcement and increased accountability for immigration agents, opposing warrantless arrests/searches and covert tactics; frames deportation surges as unlawful and calls for protections for residents. Does not appear to advocate for maximal restrictionist policies.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate describes himself as pro-choice and says he will fight to protect reproductive freedom, while acknowledging a single past vote in favor of a 24-hour waiting period for abortion services more than two decades ago. His campaign statements emphasize protecting access to reproductive care despite that earlier vote.
Climate & Energy
Supports energy efficiency measures and increased renewable generation while endorsing transitional use of natural gas; favors policies to reduce pollution from fossil-fuel sources and opposed controversial Arctic drilling proposals. Positions emphasize improving home weatherization, multimodal transportation, and renewable energy development alongside pragmatic transitions away from higher-emitting fuels.
Public Safety & Guns
Matt Dunlap is a gun owner who has been closely involved with the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and has represented that organization in state-level discussions about gun policy. He emphasizes hunting and firearms traditions in Maine and has criticized broad characterizations of firearms ownership while working with gun-owner groups. His public record indicates support for gun-owner interests and skepticism toward broad gun bans rather than advocacy for expansive new restrictions.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Matthew Dunlap has won the Democratic nomination for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District and will face former Gov. Paul LePage in the general election for the open seat. He secured the nomination through Maine’s ranked-choice voting process after trailing in early rounds and then gaining enough later support to pull ahead. Recent reports also say outside groups spent heavily to help his campaign, including more than $500,000 from Real Change PAC.
maine.gov+52
Articles
PPOLITICO2 months ago
FEC filings confirm GOP meddling in Dem primaries
Positive
AOArkansas Online2 months ago
Primaries in Maine set Pingree, Charles to compete for governor
Positive
SSSpokane Spokesman-Review2 months ago
Maine Democrats pick progressive Dunlap in key House race after Golden exit
Positive
TBThe Boston Globe2 months ago
Pingree and Charles will compete for Maine governor and Dunlap gets Democratic nod for US House
Positive
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Matthew Dunlap currently averages 43.0%, ranking second in this race, 5.0 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 43.0%Position: secondMargin: -5.0 ptsLatest poll: 49.0% (Jul 11 - 16)Polls included: 4
Average recalculated from polls through Jul 11 - 16.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
ME-02 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Matthew Dunlap for ME-02 Democratic nominee?
Our Revolution
Public figure
Our Revolution endorsed Matthew Dunlap for Congress in Maine District 2.
Betsy Sweet
Public figure
Betsy Sweet endorsed Matthew Dunlap for Maine's 2nd Congressional District.
National Nurses United
Public figure
National Nurses United endorsed Matthew Dunlap for Maine's 2nd Congressional District.
Ro Khanna
Public figure
Ro Khanna endorsed Matthew Dunlap for Congress in Maine's 2nd District.
Mike Michaud
Public figure
Mike Michaud endorsed Matthew Dunlap in the Democratic primary for Maine's 2nd congressional district.
State Representative Dave Rollins
Elected official
State Representative Dave Rollins endorsed Matt Dunlap for U.S. Congress.
State Representative James ...
Elected official
State Representative James ... endorsed Matt Dunlap for U.S. Congress.
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$1.2M
$904.1K
$602.7K
$301.4K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.2M
$228.6K
$976.8K
$54.3K
Source: FEC