Former governor LePage running for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District

Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage has officially signaled his intent to run for Congress. 

The Republican filed paperwork Sunday with the Federal Election Commission as a candidate for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Last November, Jared Golden, a Democrat who often crosses party lines, was reelected to a fourth term in the district that covers a large swath of the state. 

LePage became governor of Maine in 2011 and served until 2019. The New York Times described him as one of the “most unfiltered politicians” pre-President Donald Trump; however, he prided himself on lowering taxes and cutting regulations while chief executive. 

While the paperwork filed with the Federal Election Commission lists a P.O. Box for LePage in Augusta, he became a permanent resident of Florida after leaving office in 2020 and again after losing to current Gov. Janet Mills in the 2022 gubernatorial election. He was said to have benefited from tax breaks reserved for permanent residents for property he owned in the state while living in the Maine governor’s mansion.

In 2018, LePage was sued for refusing to implement voter-approved Medicaid expansion. He has also been called out for racist remarks and left a voicemail laden with obscenities for a state lawmaker who criticized him.

“President Trump needs a fighter who will stand with him and increase the Republican majority in the U.S. House,” said Maine GOP Chairman Jim Deyermond, in a Facebook post Monday morning.

Asked about LePage’s candidacy, Golden responded, “I thought Paul was doing his best work in retirement.”

Golden is said to be considering a run for governor. Asked about his plan, a spokesperson for the representative said he’s “busy fighting the GOP’s health care cuts and working through his committees to secure jobs for Bath Iron Works and protect Maine’s fishing communities.”

“The next election is the furthest thing from his mind.”