Paul LePage

Paul LePage
Name	Paul LePage
Order	74th
Office	Governor of Maine
Term start	January 5, 2011
Term end	January 2, 2019
Lieutenant	Mary Mayhew, Michael Thibodeau
Predecessor	John Baldacci
Successor	Janet Mills
Birth date	9 October 1948
Birth place	Lewiston, Maine, U.S.
Party	Republican
Spouse	Ann DeRosby, 1971, 1980, Sharon LePage, 1984
Education	Husson University (BS), University of Maine (MBA)

Paul LePage. He is an American politician and businessman who served as the 74th Governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he was previously the mayor of Waterville, Maine and general manager of the Marden's retail chain. Known for his blunt, conservative rhetoric, his tenure was marked by significant tax cuts, welfare reform efforts, and frequent clashes with the Maine Legislature.

Early life and education

He was born in Lewiston, Maine to a French Canadian family and experienced a difficult childhood, leaving home at age eleven. He worked various jobs, including in a wood mill and a shoe shop, before earning his high school equivalency diploma. He attended Husson University in Bangor, Maine, graduating with a degree in business administration, and later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maine.

Business career

His professional career began in the wood products industry, working for the Scott Paper company. He later transitioned into retail management, becoming the general manager for the Marden's surplus and salvage chain in Maine. His business acumen led to his involvement in local economic development in Waterville, Maine, where he served on the city council and the board of the Waterville Board of Trade.

Political career

He entered electoral politics by winning a seat on the Waterville City Council in 1998. He was elected mayor of Waterville, Maine in 2003, serving two terms and focusing on fiscal restraint and property tax stabilization. His success in municipal government provided a platform for his 2010 gubernatorial campaign, where he emerged victorious in a multi-candidate race that included independent Eliot Cutler and Democrat Libby Mitchell.

Governor of Maine

He was inaugurated in January 2011, with Mary Mayhew as his first lieutenant governor. His administration pursued a conservative agenda, including the largest income tax cut in Maine history and reductions to the state's Medicaid program. He frequently vetoed legislation from the Maine Legislature, setting a record for vetoes, and engaged in public disputes with the press, including the Portland Press Herald. Key initiatives included reforming the Department of Health and Human Services and attempting to overhaul the state's energy policies, often clashing with environmental groups.

Post-governorship

After leaving the Blaine House in 2019, he remained an active political figure, frequently commenting on state politics and endorsing candidates. He accepted a teaching position at Husson University and authored a memoir detailing his life and political philosophy. In 2022, he announced a political comeback, running successfully to reclaim the governorship, defeating incumbent Janet Mills in a closely watched election.

Political positions

He is a fiscal conservative who advocates for reduced government spending, lower taxes, and deregulation, often citing his business background. On social issues, he opposes abortion rights and supported efforts to require photo identification for voting. He has been a vocal critic of the Affordable Care Act and has expressed skepticism about climate change policies, supporting the expansion of natural gas infrastructure. His views on welfare reform, emphasizing work requirements, have been central to his political identity.

Category:1948 births Category:Governors of Maine Category:American businesspeople Category:Republican Party governors in the United States