AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage says he was just joking when he talked about running for U.S. Senate.

He was asked Monday night by conservative radio talk show host Howie Carr if he was going to run against independent Sen. Angus King in 2018. LePage responded that he was “considering it” as part of an answer in which he criticized King for switching his support from independent Eliot Cutler to Democrat Mike Michaud in the governor’s race.

LePage told WMTW-TV on Tuesday that he was just kidding about challenging King.

King, who intends to seek re-election, declined to comment on LePage’s remarks. A spokesman said he’s focused now on “doing the best job he can for the people of Maine” in the U.S. Senate.