Jordan Wood’s Million-Dollar Mission: How a Gay Dad Is Fighting to Keep Maine—and Congress—True Blue

Maine, famous for its rocky coastlines, lobster rolls, and fiercely independent streak, has rarely seen a political campaign quite like this. Enter Jordan Wood: a Lewiston native, longtime democracy reformer, proud gay dad, and the latest candidate to turn the Pine Tree State’s electoral landscape into one of the hottest battlegrounds in the country .

But Wood isn’t just running to keep a House seat blue—he’s aiming to redefine what it means to be a public servant in 2025. Armed with a $1 million campaign fund, a resume packed with anti-corruption bona fides, and a personal story that resonates with queer families everywhere, Wood is offering Maine voters a vision of politics that is as transparent as it is unapologetically inclusive .

Born and raised in Lewiston, Maine, Wood grew up the son of a teacher and a pastor—a background that grounds his commitment to community and justice . But his journey from small-town kid to national reformer reads like a queer political fairy tale with a modern twist.

After a decade in Washington, D.C., serving as chief of staff to progressive firebrand Rep. Katie Porter and as vice president of End Citizens United, Wood returned to Maine with a singular goal: to disrupt the status quo. “I know how Washington works. I know what’s broken. And I know how to fix it,” Wood declares, linking his personal story to a broader fight for democracy that feels especially urgent as the 2026 elections approach .

Wood’s campaign isn’t just another progressive bid in a purple state—it’s a deeply personal mission. As a gay man raising a daughter with his husband in Bristol, Maine, Wood embodies the new face of political leadership, one where LGBTQ+ families are front and center, not an afterthought .

In a political climate where anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is again on the rise, Wood’s unapologetic openness about his marriage and fatherhood feels quietly radical. “This year, I became a dad and I’m proudly raising my daughter right here in Maine,” Wood shares on his campaign site, framing his run as an act of hope and protection for the next generation of queer kids and families . For LGBTQ+ Mainers—especially those in rural communities often left out of the national conversation—Wood’s visibility is more than symbolic; it’s a powerful reminder that queer voices belong everywhere decisions are made.

Wood’s campaign is not just about representation; it’s about reform from the ground up. His platform reads like a wish list for anyone who’s ever felt that Washington is working for insiders, not ordinary people:

- Overturning Citizens United and eliminating dark money from politics
- Banning Congressional stock trading to prevent lawmakers from profiting off insider information
- Expanding public financing of elections so regular folks—not just the wealthy—can run for office
- Enacting term limits for Supreme Court justices
- Ending partisan gerrymandering to make every vote count equally

But it’s not just about fixing the system. Wood’s policies are laser-focused on making life better for working families and marginalized communities:

- “Medicare for All Who Want It”—offering a public health care option while protecting choice
- Cracking down on Big Pharma to make prescription drugs affordable
- Investing in affordable housing, with protections against corporate landlords and predatory rent hikes
- Blocking Medicaid cuts and defending the Affordable Care Act

For LGBTQ+ residents—who still face barriers to affirming health care, housing security, and economic opportunity—these aren’t abstract policy points. They’re lifelines.

If Wood’s rhetoric sounds bold, his campaign practices are downright revolutionary. He’s promised never to take a dime from corporate PACs or lobbyists, to publish his meeting calendar for maximum transparency, and to bar family members from lobbying his office. In an era of political cynicism, these commitments are designed to rebuild trust, not just among Mainers, but among a national audience hungry for authenticity .

Even his opponents have noticed. A spokesperson for Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who Wood may face in a future Senate bid, has already acknowledged Wood’s deep roots in progressive organizing—even as they try to paint him as an “outsider.” But as Wood’s campaign gains traction, it’s clear that his brand of politics is as homegrown as it is transformative .

Wood isn’t shy about calling out what’s at stake. “America is under attack. But Republicans and Democratic leaders are just rolling over. Maine needs a leader with the courage to stand up to Donald Trump,” he says, positioning himself as the kind of reformer willing to challenge his own party as well as the opposition .

For many LGBTQ+ voters—who’ve seen hard-won rights threatened by a rightward political shift—Wood’s message hits home. This campaign isn’t just about one House seat; it’s about defending democracy itself, and ensuring that queer voices are part of the solution.

In a year when anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is surging nationally, and queer and trans rights are again on the ballot, Wood’s campaign offers a rare burst of optimism. Here’s a candidate who doesn’t just include queer people in his vision—he starts with his own family, and fights for the kind of structural reforms that make equality possible in practice, not just in theory.

As Wood puts it: “I’m running to represent Maine’s Second Congressional District to fight for my daughter and all Maine kids.” For queer parents, youth, and allies, that promise isn’t just political. It’s personal.

Let’s talk about that $1 million: in a rural, working-class state like Maine, it’s a game-changer, especially for a candidate who refuses corporate cash. Wood’s fundraising prowess—fueled by grassroots supporters and a national donor network—signals both his viability and the appetite for genuine change .

But it also sends a message to queer candidates everywhere: you don’t have to compromise your values to run a competitive race. In an era when “rainbow-washing” is too often a substitute for real solidarity, Wood’s campaign is a master class in harnessing community power for systemic change.

No matter how the race shakes out, Jordan Wood’s campaign is already a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ politics in America. By centering transparency, accountability, and lived queer experience, Wood is modeling what a new generation of leaders can achieve—if we’re willing to dream big, organize hard, and demand more from our democracy.

For now, Maine is watching. But so is the rest of the country. And as Wood’s million-dollar mission to keep Congress true blue unfolds, one thing is certain: the future of queer political power has never looked brighter—or more authentic.