2022 Maine Governor Voters Guide
Paul LePage (R) vs Janet Mills (D)
The Candidates
Likely ban. In 2016 at a Right-to-Life rally said “We should not have abortion.” After Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade said “I don’t know” if he supports 6- or 15-week abortion bans; “I don’t have time for abortion…abortion affects few Mainers.”
Legal. Signed a bill allowing physician assistants and advance practice registered nurses perform abortions, in addition to physicians. Signed an order protecting women from other states receiving abortion care in Maine.
Mostly no. Placed a moratorium on wind energy development. Says nuclear and hydropower are the answer to climate change, and not buying Chinese products made with fossil fuels. Supports ending state solar power subsidies.
Yes. Initiated a 4-year Climate Plan for carbon reduction and renewable energy, and a Jobs & Recovery Plan with clean energy provisions. Signed an executive order that would make Maine carbon neutral by 2045.
Yes. As governor, proposed school vouchers for low-income students, and public funding for religious schools. Supports “school choice” and having “educational dollars follow the student.”
Signed a bill integrating “African American Studies and the History of Genocide” into the state education system.
Loosen. Lobbied for offshore drilling in Maine. Proposed bills to repeal environmental regulations and prevent local governments from banning toxic chemicals. Opposed “aggressive regulatory overreach” by the EPA.
Tighten. Signed bills ending disposal of out-of-state hazardous waste in state-owned landfills and spreading of sludge containing “forever chemicals.” Signed a budget with $40 million for new conservation, including wildlife protection.
Less. As governor, opposed universal background checks and signed a bill allowing permitless concealed carry.
Mostly more. Signed a “yellow flag law” letting police take guns from people deemed by a court to be a threat, after medical assessment. Signed a bill subsidizing voluntary safe gun storage. Was noncommittal on private sale background checks.
No. As governor refused to implement voter-approved Medicaid expansion. For Medicaid, “will reinstate work rules. If you’re able-bodied, you need to go to work.” Would end a COVID vaccine requirement for health care professionals, and for children, “let them all have it” to get herd immunity.
Yes. Expedited Medicaid expansion. Signed comprehensive prescription drug reform. Funded training for health care workers and proposed spending $50 million to help sustain hospitals and nursing homes. Supported a “Patient Bill of Rights” to require insurance companies to cover COVID testing and vaccination.
In 2014 sought to limit aid to asylum seekers. In 2015 said illegal immigrants were driving infectious disease cases. In 2016 ended Maine’s cooperation with a federal refugee program. In 2017 supported ending DACA. In 2022 said he welcomes refugees, supports legal immigration.
Harder. Has supported “right-to-work” laws, which allow employees in a unionized workplace to not pay union fees for collective bargaining.
Mixed. Signed a law allowing Maine loggers and wood haulers to engage in collective bargaining. Vetoed a bill letting farmworkers unionize.
Limit. Vetoed a bill that would prohibit “conversion therapy” for minors, “treatment that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Expand. Signed a bill “banning conversion therapy” for minors. Signed a bill upgrading the status of LGBTQ veterans who were less than honorably discharged.
Ban. Vetoed a bill that would have set up an adult-use recreational marijuana market. Said “marijuana impairment” would increase car crashes.
Legal. Signed a bill that established a legal framework for the sale of recreational marijuana.
Unclear on a general raise. Negotiated a $15 per hour minimum for state employees. Increased Medicaid minimum payments for direct care workers to 125 percent of the state’s minimum wage.
No position found on use of force. “Maine’s law enforcement officers…always have our backs—as Maine’s next Governor—I’ll always have their backs.”
Yes. Cosponsored a bill expanding Maine’s student debt relief program. Supports student debt relief to attract “talented young people.”
Less. In 2015 proposed to lower the corporate tax rate from 8.93% to 6.75%, and eliminate the estate tax, funding the cuts with an increase in the state sales tax. He renewed that call in 2021.
Maintain current tax levels. Pledged not to raise taxes in her first two-year budget and opposed a legislative move to raise taxes on high earners.
Yes. Supports requiring photo ID in order to vote.
No. In 2020 extended the deadline for mail voter registration. Signed a 2022 bill instituting automatic voter registration. Would veto legislation requiring voter ID.
We only include candidates polling 15% or more. But check out others, including Sam Hunkler (I).
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