LePage: Reports of my political demise ‘greatly exaggerated’

AUGUSTA, Maine—Amid political pressure and calls for his resignation, Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Tuesday suggested that he might be considering stepping aside but seemed to reject the idea entirely hours later in a tweet, saying, “The reports of my political demise are greatly exaggerated.”

Meanwhile, House Republicans prepared to gather Tuesday evening in Augusta to figure out potential ramifications for LePage’s latest crisis while Democrats promoted a rally near the Blaine House to call for the governor to resign.

LePage, who already had a tempestuous relationship with lawmakers, has been criticized in recent days for an obscene voicemail he left for a Democratic legislator and for blaming minorities for the state’s heroin crisis. Democratic lawmakers have warned that LePage was coming unhinged, and they called for a political intervention.

Speaking Tuesday on WVOM-FM radio, LePage apologized for his tirade last week against Rep. Drew Gattine and said it was “unacceptable and totally my fault.” LePage said he intends to make amends, and he is scheduled to meet with Gattine on Wednesday morning in Augusta.