Golden Refuses Town Halls Amid Indivisible Controversy
WATERVILLE, ME — Rep. Jared Golden, the Democratic representative for Maine’s 2nd District, has drawn scrutiny for refusing to hold town halls, citing concerns regarding the progressive nonprofit group Indivisible. Speaking at a recent rally attended by over 300 constituents, protestors criticized Golden’s decision, urging for more transparency and accountability from their elected officials.
Golden contends that the push for town halls is orchestrated by Indivisible, which he claims operates with "dark money," thereby distorting American political discourse. He has accused the group of promoting divisiveness within the Democratic Party itself. "They want to purge the Democratic Party of anyone who doesn’t meet their definition of what it means to be a Democrat,” Golden stated.
Indivisible’s chief campaigns officer, Sarah Dohl, refuted Golden’s claims, asserting that the organization relies on grassroots funding, with the average donation being around $21. She emphasized that local chapters, including Indivisible Mid Maine, are independently operated and deeply connected to their communities.
The controversy comes as Golden faces backlash for his votes, including supporting the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, sparking further demands for public engagement. Critics, including Karen Heck, founder of Indivisible Mid Maine, accused him of echoing Republican rhetoric and alienating constituents.
Golden acknowledges the rise of requests for town halls but claims they stem from coordinated efforts by Indivisible. He expressed a preference for informal conversations over public forums, stating that town halls invite highly engaged attendees rather than a typical cross-section of his constituents.
Constituents argue that town halls are vital for open dialogue. Chrissy Cataldo, a regular communicator with Golden, noted, “Town halls let us ask follow-up questions and engage more effectively.” While Golden has left the possibility open for future town halls, he remains focused on specific conversations rather than broad political discussions, prioritizing what he deems more substantive dialogues moving forward.
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