Mike Lawler represents a district more than 400 miles from the nearest lobster boat. That didn't stop him from co-sponsoring the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act.

Rep. Jared Golden noticed. The retiring Democrat from Maine published an op-ed Sunday endorsing Lawler — a Republican — for re-election, crediting him specifically for legislation that paused federal whale-protection rules Golden said were "built on worst-case assumptions instead of real data." "He got no votes in this and no headlines back home," Golden wrote. "He signed on because a historic American industry, thousands of fishing families, and the principle that federal rules should be built on facts were all on the line." Golden called Lawler "a true partner to me and a friend to fishing families he will never represent."

The Democratic caucus responded by lighting its own hair on fire. "People are pissed off," one anonymous House Democrat said. Another warned the endorsement would hurt Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, a fellow moderate walking a similar bipartisan line. A senior House Democrat put the priority plainly: "He is leaving. Marie is a bigger problem."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dismissed it as a "smoke and mirrors ploy" that "will do nothing to change the outcome of the race." Rep. McGovern said he "couldn't support a person who voted to cut Medicaid." Rep. Liccardo projected it would generate "an additional three votes."

The Cook Political Report rates the Lawler-Conley race a toss-up. Kalshi bettors put Democratic challenger Cait Conley at 61% as of Sunday.

The Democratic response ran straight to damage control — calling the endorsement a ploy, worrying about Gluesenkamp Perez, leaking anonymous anger. Lawler's actual bipartisan record, ranked fourth-most in the House, went uncontested.

Gluesenkamp Perez didn't join the pile-on. "I don't have energy to worry about the hurt feelings of anonymous colleagues," she said.

Golden also put something else on the record. "We have real adversaries in this world," he wrote, "and they are not our fellow citizens. When candidates for office tell voters that the gravest danger to this country is other Americans—"

He left the sentence there.

Golden is not alone in crossing the aisle. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman recorded a video praising Republican Sen. Dave McCormick, calling himself a "commonsense Democrat" who wants to "reject the extremes and socialism." Former Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin endorsed Republican Susan Collins' reelection last week, calling her the "soul of the Senate." Three Democrats are now on record vouching for Republicans in 2026.

Lawler's response to the endorsement: "It's an honor and a privilege to accept the endorsement of my friend, Democratic Congressman Jared Golden."

Jeffries called it three votes. Cook says it's a toss-up.