Senate Dems: LePage’s comments raise questions of capacity to lead

Democratic Leaders Alfond, Hill say governor must apologize

AUGUSTA — The Leaders of the Maine Senate Democrats released the following statement following reports of Gov. Paul LePage’s controversial and racially charged statements, as well as his obscenity-laced tirade and threatening language against Rep. Drew Gattine, co-chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee.

The statement may be attributed to Senate Democratic Leader Justin Alfond of Portland, and Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Dawn Hill of York.

“We’ve witnessed a lot of shocking behavior during Gov. LePage’s six years in the Blaine House, but the events of the last day are beyond the pale. His comments about people of color and his obscene diatribe against Rep. Gattine — not to mention the stated fantasies about killing him — are unbecoming of the office of the governor. And they raise serious questions about his temperament and capacity to lead. What comes next is ultimately the governor’s decision, but every Mainer of conscience knows that it should begin with an apology, not only to Rep. Gattine but to all the people of Maine.”

###