AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says the state must take “term limits and throw them out of the window.”

LePage said Thursday that term limits means the Legislature is full of young people with “firm agendas” who pass bills that “are hurting us for the long haul.”

The Republican governor made his remarks at the Energy and Technology Council of Maine’s forum on regional energy infrastructure issues in Hallowell.

Maine lawmakers can currently serve four consecutive two-year terms.

LePage also said he expects the upcoming governor’s race to be the “hate campaign of all campaigns.”