Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
25.4%
34.5%
17.7%
ME-02 Democratic nominee?
$99.1K
JUN 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer Secretary of State
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age61 years old (Nov 26, 1964)
GenderMale
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LocationMaine
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Maine (BA, History)
Notable personal detailsMatthew Dunlap is an American politician from Maine who has served as Maine State Auditor (initially sworn in January 2021; appointed again November 2022 after earning internal-auditor certification). A Democrat, he previously served multiple terms as Maine Secretary of State and served in the Maine House of Representatives representing Old Town and Indian Island (1996–2004). In 2026, he won the Democratic nomination for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.
SourcesShowHide
apnews.comfec.govmaine.govmattdunlapforuscongress.comen.wikipedia.orgaxios.commainepublic.orgpredictionedge.combangordailynews.comlines.comwashingtonpost.comwikidata.orgapps.npr.orgwww5.maine.govmainemorningstar.comsalon.compenbaypilot.comthemainemonitor.orgpressherald.comwmtw.comspectrumlocalnews.comnrcm.orgwabi.tvthemainewire.comfacebook.comnationalnursesunited.orgfairvote.orgthehill.comballotpedia.orghuffpost.comcentralmaine.commsn.comktvb.comnotus.orgyoutube.cominstagram.comballotready.orgoversight.house.govcongress.govhistory.house.govclerk.house.govgovinfo.govcollins.senate.govnass.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgoversightdemocrats.house.gov
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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 10, 2026
Matthew Dunlap has won the Democratic nomination for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District after a ranked-choice primary. He will face former Republican Gov. Paul LePage in the general election for the open seat left by Jared Golden. Recent reports also say Dunlap benefited from more than $500,000 in outside support from Real Change PAC during the primary.
apnews.com+45
Articles
PPOLITICO19 days ago
FEC filings confirm GOP meddling in Dem primaries
Positive
AOArkansas Online20 days ago
Primaries in Maine set Pingree, Charles to compete for governor
Positive
SSSpokane Spokesman-Review21 days ago
Maine Democrats pick progressive Dunlap in key House race after Golden exit
Positive
TBThe Boston Globe21 days ago
Pingree and Charles will compete for Maine governor and Dunlap gets Democratic nod for US House
Positive
Polls
ME-02 Democratic nominee?
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.
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.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$931.5K
$698.6K
$465.7K
$232.9K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$931.5K
$93.5K
$838.0K
$49.3K
Source: FEC