AUGUSTA — During an afternoon appearance on a conservative talk radio show, Republican Gov. Paul LePage said he may run for the U.S. Senate in 2018.

LePage made the comment during an appearance on the Boston-based Howie Carr radio show which was broadcasting from Augusta’s WVOM on Tuesday afternoon.

LePage said he was specifically thinking about challenging U.S. Sen. Angus King, an independent and former two-term governor, because King caucuses with Democrats in Washington.

“I’m thinking about it very strongly,” LePage said during the hourlong segment.

LePage also had several predictions for the 2016 presidential elections, noting that the three front-runners today were unlikely to be their parties’ chosen candidates.

Carr arrived in Augusta by private jet with Ernie Boch Jr., a Massachusetts auto dealer magnate who was also a guest on Carr’s show. Both men were invited to attend a dinner with LePage at the Blaine House.

During the radio broadcast, LePage also had some political advice for front-running Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, including a suggestion that Trump abandon his Twitter account. “He needs to get rid of the Twitter,” LePage said.  

LePage said his chief of staff, John McGough, has advised him that nothing good can come from a Twitter account.  

LePage, who sported a Trump campaign baseball cap for a photo, reaffirmed he was supporting New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s presidential campaign. 

LePage said he liked Trump’s candor and his unscripted, politically incorrect statements, but also warned Trump should focus less on insults and more on policy.

“Insulting works, but you’ve got to have some substance behind it,” LePage said. “He needs to learn to get on to the policies he is going to bring to the American people.”

In one other surprising comment, LePage complimented Rhode Island’s Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo, saying he’s working closely with her on energy issues and “she’s in it for the right reasons.”

“She’s a very bright lady,” LePage said.

sthistle@sunjournal.com