Far from the convention, a Democrat runs from Harris and hands out beer in rural Maine

Rep. Jared Golden of Maine won't endorse Vice President Kamala Harris or say how he plans to vote in November .

Golden, a 42-year-old tattooed former Marine who says he carries a concealed handgun “pretty much always,” announced last week that he will not endorse Harris .

Golden has always kept his distance from his party — both in Congress , where he votes more often with Republicans than any other Democrat , and back home.

Golden 's supporters say he knows what his constituents want better than anyone else and should be given the running room to do what he thinks he needs to.

Golden and his Blue Dog Coalition are revamping to be young, populist and salt-of-the-earth.

Golden sees “progressive conservatives” as progressive on economic issues but conservative on cultural issues that have alienated working-class voters.

Golden stunned observers by reversing his opposition to the assault weapon ban.

The former Marine says he owns an assault-style rifle himself to protect his family.

“I probably will lose some votes over it,” Golden acknowledged. “There could be people who cheered me last time I was in it and maybe they’ll be flipping me the bird tonight .”.