Maine Governor May Resign After Homophobic Threats to Lawmaker

AUGUSTA, ME — Gov. Paul LePage said Tuesday he's considering resigning after making homophobic threats to a lawmaker that made national news. LePage, in the middle of his second term, appeared on a Maine radio station Tuesday morning and said he "doesn't know" if he will finish his term, which ends in January 2019.

"I'm looking at all options," LePage told WVOM. "We have to move Maine forward, whether it's me or somebody else."

LePage, a Republican, said he's concerned he may not have enough support from lawmakers on either side of the aisle to do his job effectively.

But a few hours after the interview, LePage retreated from those comments, issuing a statement saying the "rumors" of his resignation are "greatly exaggerated."

LePage threatened State Rep. Drew Gattine, a Westbrook Democrat, in a voicemail, calling him a homophobic term unfit for publication. LePage said he was upset that Gattine insinuated he's a racist.

"I would like to talk to you about your comments about my being a racist, you c---------," LePage said in the voicemail, which was first published by the Portland Press Herald. "I want you to prove that I'm a racist. I've spent my life helping black people and you little son of a b---- socialist c---------."

LePage then doubled down on his remarks, saying he imagined having a duel with Gattine and would point his gun "right between his eyes."

LePage later apologized.

High-ranking Maine Democrats called on LePage to resign.

"Paul LePage is not mentally or emotionally fit to hold office," Assistant House Democratic Leader Sara Gideon, a Freeport Democrat, said in a statement. "His words and actions have crossed a line."

LePage previously said he will not resign.

Last week, LePage held a town hall in North Berwick and said he keeps a binder with photos of suspects accused of dealing drugs in the state.

“I will tell you, that 90-plus percent of those pictures in my book ... are black and Hispanic people from Waterbury, Connecticut, the Bronx and Brooklyn,” LePage said, according to WCSH6.

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Maine Governor Under Fire After Profanity-Laced Voicemail

Photo: Office of Maine Governor