Here it is - 2022 and Paul LePage is back from Florida and running for governor of our great state of Maine...again. Paul has a track record now from his previous eight years as our governor., a record that we can examine and explore and maybe even get him to explain. He did a radio interview once where he made some claims about Maine's role in the Civil War that I found problematic. Now that he is back, I want him to explain himself. So, I called his campaign headquarters to find out how I could contact him but they were all out busy raising money and rounding up support, according to the recording. I left a message but after two weeks, receiving no response I sent this letter to campaign headquarters. Here is what I wrote:
April 12, 2022
Paul LePage
Candidate for Governor of Maine
Po Box 5308
Augusta, ME 04332
Dear Paul LePage:
Thank you for running for public office. Our democracy would not function if concerned citizens did not participate in our civic life. Of course, as you know, running for office, especially for the highest office in our state, places you under increased scrutiny. I am sure you have experienced that.
In that spirit, I am writing today to ask you to clarify remarks you made in a radio interview on WVOM with Ric Tyler, back when you were governor, I believe on August 15, 2017.
In the interview you stated, according to the Free Press, “7,600 Mainers fought for the Confederacy and they fought because they were concerned about, they were farmers and they were concerned about their land, and their property.”
Historians challenged this statement as incorrect and even bizarre.
As far as I can tell, you never retracted this comment. If you did, I apologize and ask for the reference. If you did not, are you willing to correct or clarify what you believe on this matter?
Sincerely,
Raymond Estabrook
This seems pretty fair and straightforward. I never received a response. So, I sent him a second letter, as you will see.
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