Steve Missler

Golden made the announcement in a column published in the Bangor Daily News, in which he lamented the increasing hostility in the nation's politics and threats against him and his family.

He also criticized what he described as the pugilistic voices taking control of the Democratic Party, comparing it to the Tea Party movement.

Golden has been under fire by fellow Democrats for his sparing criticism of President Donald Trump and critiques of his own party.

He drew a primary challenger in former Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap.

Golden wrote that he wasn't afraid of losing, but dreaded the prospect of winning.

He's managed to hold the second congressional district seat since 2019, despite the district's increasingly rightward turn in recent years.

For NPR News, I'm Steve Missler in Augusta, Maine.