Maine Gov. Paul LePage made a racist claim about his state's heroin epidemic on Wednesday, alleging men with nicknames like "D-Money" are coming from cities to sell heroin and "impregnate" Maine's white women.
During a town hall meeting in Bridgton, Maine, LePage was asked how he plans to address the state's heroin epidemic. The first step, LePage said, is beefing up enforcement.
Advertisement
"Now the traffickers ... These are guys with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty, these types of guys. They come from Connecticut and New York, they come up here, they sell their heroin, and they go back home," LePage said. "Incidentally, half the time they impregnate a young, white girl before they leave, which is a real sad thing because then we have another issue that we've got to deal with down the road. We're going to make them very severe penalties."
LePage's office didn't immediately return a request for comment. The governor's office did provide comment to the Portland Press-Herald, which first reported the remarks.
"The governor is not making comments about race. Race is irrelevant,” LePage communications director Peter Steele said. “What is relevant is the cost to state taxpayers for welfare and the emotional costs for these kids who are born as a result of involvement with drug traffickers. His heart goes out to these kids because he had a difficult childhood, too. We need to stop the drug traffickers from coming into our state."
LePage's remarks drew a strong response from Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
"Governor LePage’s comments tonight are not only offensive and hurtful but they try to cover up the very real epidemic of drug abuse facing people in his state and across the country," Hillary for America's Marlon Marshall said in a statement. "LePage’s racist rants sadly distract from efforts to address one of our nation’s most pressing problems."
Maine, like many other states, has seen a major spike in heroin treatment and overdoses in recent years. LePage has previously called for greater enforcement against out-of-state dealers, and said last year he would consider using the state's National Guard.
Maine lawmakers are considering a bill to help ease the crisis that would include money for Drug Enforcement Administration agents and other law enforcement, in addition to funding for treatment programs and facilities. LePage, however, has threatened to veto the bill for what he said was favoritism toward treatment facilities receiving funding.
In August, a drug addiction clinic in Sanford, Maine, closed its doors, blaming LePage's policies.
"In Maine, Governor LePage is discussing calling in the National Guard to combat the state's drug epidemic while leaving multi-million dollar grant opportunities for funding treatment on the table," Charles Faris, the president of Spectrum Health Systems, said.
The governor also made headlines in 2011 after the NAACP criticized him for turning down invitations to several of the group's events. LePage put the civil rights group on blast, pointing to a Jamaican teenager who moved in with his family in 2002 (whom LePage refers to as his adopted son) as evidence he is not racist.
"Tell ‘em to kiss my butt,” LePage said. "If they want to play the race card, come to dinner and my son will talk to them."
Recently, LePage has joined New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on the Republican presidential campaign trail. LePage was Christie's first major endorser, and has made several campaign appearances with him. (Christie stumped for LePage in 2014.)
Meanwhile, LePage may soon face impeachment. Democrats in the state legislature plan to move forward with an impeachment motion next week.
This article has been updated to include comment from the Clinton campaign.
Also on HuffPost:
United States Governors
Advertisement
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.