Maine’s current governor, Janet Mills, is challenged by Paul LePage, who served as governor from 2011 to 2019.
With only a few weeks left until the midterm elections in November, Maine’s Democratic governor, Janet Mills, and her Republican rival, former governor and current congressman Paul LePage, faced off in a second televised debate on Monday night.
The high expense of living, abortion, and education were all discussed at the discussion, which took place at the CBS13 studios in Portland, Maine.
LePage, who served as governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019, got into an argument with his opponent, accusing him of “spending money like a drunken sailor.”
The governor said that it was “unbelievable to think giving folks money to help battle inflation – which is one of the strongest inflation relief tools in the country – is some sort of gimmick.” LePage countered that the only difference was that a drunken sailor spent his own money.
“I’m sorry, governor, I don’t know whatever economic school you went to, but pouring money in a hot economy only drives up inflation, not reduces it,” LePage answered. The greatest method to reduce inflation is to slash income taxes and make the change retroactive to 2021.
Mills said that the rise in inflation was due to factors beyond her control, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which pushed up the cost of oil and food.
She explained that while she had no influence over the scarcity of infant formula or other aspects of the avian flu, she was able to help return money to the pockets of Mainers.
LePage declared, “I’ll go where the oil is,” when asked if he would abolish regulations imposed on the fossil fuel business.
I don’t see us becoming completely independent of oil in my lifetime or the lifetime of this governor, said LePage. “In our own lives, we will be engaged in efforts to reduce our reliance on oil and in the creation of cutting-edge technology. Have confidence in them before we start paying $0.30/kWh for power.”
In response to claims that she is responsible for or supports gas tax hikes, Mills has instead placed the blame for rising energy costs on the federal government “relying on nonrenewable energy sources like fossil fuels. A bare-bones definition.”
Mills restated her pro-choice stance on abortion and promised to do nothing to alter state laws that implement Roe v. Wade. LePage, who describes himself as pro-life, was less direct, stating he wouldn’t amend the legislation.