Maine — 2nd District

Letters submitted by BDN readers are verified by BDN Opinion Page staff. Send your letters to [email protected] I’m deeply concerned about Paul LePage’s bid for the 2nd Congressional District. In my view, his positions and priorities simply don’t align with the values of our state. He proudly claimed in 2016 that he was Trump before Trump and “we are one of the same cloth.” I don’t think we want another Trump representing Maine in Washington, D.C., with a 35% approval rating and LePage’s historically offensive , belligerent, racist behavior. LePage has made it clear he opposes clean, renewable energy that is bringing jobs and economic growth to Maine while protecting our environment. Instead, he supported Trump’s call for offshore oil drilling, the only eastern state governor in either party to support Trump’s proposal, which threatened our fisheries and tourism industries. LePage refused to fund 55% of school funding, thus raising everyone’s property taxes. Thank you to Gov. Janet Mills for fully funding education at 55%. LePage opposed legislation to reduce toxic chemicals in our food, even saying that it was no big deal if women grew “ little beards ” due to the toxicity. Even more troubling, LePage doesn’t seem to live here. His wife has claimed a homestead exemption in Ormond Beach, Florida since 2018. Maine’s 2nd Congressional District deserves a representative who believes in sustainable energy, safeguards our natural resources, and understands our way of life because they live here. Paul LePage is not that person. Vote for Matt Dunlap who is highly qualified after being a legislator, secretary of state, and state auditor. Steve Kahl Waterville