AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage says he’ll shave his head if Maine state employees and retirees raise $350,000 this year for charity.

The Republican governor made the remark on Friday during a kick-off event at the State House for the 34th annual Maine State Employees’ Combined Charitable Appeal.

LePage says he was upping “the ante” after Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Patricia Aho, who is leading this year’s campaign, vowed to dye her hair pink if the group reaches their goal of $300,000.

The governor’s office says the campaign has raised $6 million over 33 years. State workers and retirees contributed nearly $300,000 last year to organizations through one-time gifts or schedule payroll or retirement reductions.