Democratic Maine House Candidate Faced Scrutiny Over PAC Funding of Republicans
A Democratic candidate vying for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in Maine is facing questions regarding his past leadership of a political action committee (PAC) that donated tens of thousands of dollars to Republican candidates and PACs during the 2024 election cycle. Jordan Wood, who is running for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, previously served as the executive director of democracyFirst PAC.
PAC Donations to GOP Candidates
Federal Election Commission records show that democracyFirst PAC, despite its left-leaning orientation, contributed a total of $75,000 to various House and Senate races, including donations to Republican candidates such as Sen. John Curtis of Utah, Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, and Rep. David Valadao of California. The Intercept reported on these contributions.
The PAC also donated $5,000 to the Republican Governance Group/Tuesday Group PAC, a group of moderate Republicans that has aligned more closely with the policy priorities of the Trump administration.
Concerns from Within the Democratic Party
Maine State Rep. Amy Roeder, a Democrat, expressed concern over the donations, stating, “I don’t necessarily condemn anyone for contributing to left or right candidates as long as they’re actively protecting our civil rights, but this is pretty troubling.”
Wood’s Explanation for PAC Funding
Wood defended the PAC’s strategy, explaining that democracyFirst was focused on defeating candidates aligned with former President Donald Trump who were attempting to control election infrastructure. He stated that every Republican candidate supported by the PAC held an office with authority over election administration and was being challenged by an election denier. “We were trying to capture their power away,” Wood said. The Intercept reported Wood’s statement.
Shifting Campaign Focus and Primary Competition
Wood initially launched a campaign to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins but later shifted his focus to the 2nd Congressional District race after Rep. Jared Golden announced he would not seek reelection. Maine Public and The Maine Wire both reported on Wood’s change in campaign strategy.
He now faces competition in the Democratic primary from former Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap and state Senator Joe Baldacci. Dunlap’s candidacy initially faced resistance from national Democratic leadership.
Additional Scrutiny: Ties to Fundraising Firm
Wood has also faced scrutiny regarding his ties to Mothership Strategies, a fundraising firm run by his husband, Jake Lipsett. The firm has been criticized in Democratic circles for aggressive tactics and questionable billing practices. FEC records indicate that after Wood stepped down from democracyFirst, the PAC began funneling over $500,000 to Mothership Strategies. The Intercept detailed these financial connections.
General Election Outlook
The likely Republican opponent in the general election is former Maine Gov. Paul LePage, who is seeking a political comeback after losing his bid for reelection in 2024. The Intercept noted LePage’s history of controversial statements.
Roeder also questioned Wood’s recent move to Lewiston to qualify for the district, stating, “Jordan Wood was not a CD2 resident until very recently, and I personally look sideways at someone who moves into a district in order to run in that district.”