LePage Continues to Hide His Support of Abortion Restrictions

(Portland, MAINE) -- Last night, Maine voters had their first opportunity to hear directly from gubernatorial candidates regarding their views on abortion. Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, made clear her support for reproductive rights and her commitment to keeping abortion safe and legal in Maine. Republican Paul LePage struggled to answer any question related to his views on abortion and whether and how he would either work to protect or restrict abortion access in Maine.

The dangerous and chilling Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade in June put abortion rights and sexual and reproductive healthcare at the center of this year’s elections. Polling indicates Maine voters want candidates who will stand up for their basic rights and freedoms. LePage’s track record and past rhetoric supporting restricting access to abortion is out of step with the majority of Maine voters.

Following the Dobbs ruling in June, LePage commented to press, “I don’t have time for abortion.” His demonstrated lack of understanding of the issue on the debate stage last night proved he hasn’t taken the time in the three months since the fall of Roe to educate himself on pregnancy and reproductive healthcare issues, despite abortion being a top concern for Mainers and people across the country heading into the November election.

Continuing to dodge direct questions on abortion rights and access to reproductive healthcare, LePage last night failed to explain what he would do as governor if a restrictive abortion bill came to his desk. Yet, he was clear that he would take away insurance coverage for abortion for low-income people and restrict access for people in need of abortion later in pregnancy, a cruel policy position for people needing medical care.

Contrary to LePage claims last night that he never acted against reproductive rights and healthcare, he did.

• As governor LePage cut funds for family planning including Planned Parenthood of Northern New England

• Attempted to veto expanded coverage for reproductive healthcare for low-income people,

• Vetoed a bill that would require insurance coverage for preventive care for women, and,

• Used his administration to target abortion providers with politically motivated investigations.

For someone who claims he doesn’t have time for abortion, he had no problem finding the time as governor.

Claiming ignorance of what restrictions could come before him as governor, LePage seemed to forget that during his tenure the Maine legislature considered at least 11 bills that would have restricted abortion access, including forced delays in care, biased counseling for patients considering abortion and targeted regulations of abortion providers.

In addition, as governor, LePage refused to implement voter-approved MaineCare expansion, and he opposed MaineCare coverage of abortion care. Mainers had to wait for Janet Mills to take office to see both of those items signed into law.

Statement from Nicole Clegg, Chair of Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund PAC:

“The simple truth is that safe, legal abortion is on the ballot in Maine this November. While Maine’s Reproductive Privacy Act currently protects abortion access, that law is at risk of being overturned or restricted, depending on the make-up of the legislature and who takes office in the Blaine House.

Paul LePage’s track record of opposing abortion and reproductive healthcare services and freedom is clear, and his alignment with anti-abortion advocates like Georgia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin and the Maine Christian Civic League leaves no question as to what LePage would do if elected in November. Outright bans, harmful restrictions and targeting of medical providers are all on the table if Paul LePage becomes Maine’s governor in a post-Roe world.

Maine voters want our basic rights protected, and they want elected leaders in Augusta they can count on to stand up for reproductive freedoms. That’s why it is so critical that Janet Mills is reelected. She understands that people who have decided to end a pregnancy should be supported, respected and able to access high-quality care from clinicians they trust. She is the backstop against extremists targeting Mainers’ reproductive rights.”

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The Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund Political Action Committee promotes and preserves a health care landscape and a political climate favorable to women’s health by working to identify and elect supportive candidates seeking executive and legislative offices. The PPMEAF PAC is operated by the Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund, an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England in Maine. The Action Fund engages in 3 educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.