WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plan to combat opioid drug addiction nationwide calls for stiffer penalties for drug traffickers, including the death penalty where appropriate under current law, a top administration official said. It’s a fate for drug dealers that Trump, who aims to be seen as tough on crime, has been highlighting publicly […]
politics
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine costs for lawsuits involving Paul LePage exceed $110K
PORTLAND (AP) — Lawsuits in which Republican Gov. Paul LePage hired outside legal representation have cost the state at least $110,000 since last fall, raising the total expenditures to at least half a million dollars over the past four years, according to a review by The Associated Press. The governor sued Democratic Attorney General Janet […]
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Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Republicans need to scrap 'ploys' and return to persuading voters
My first reaction to Lewiston Mayor Shane Bouchard’s recent “informational” letter to new voters was: “Doesn’t this guy have anything better to do?” My second reaction was: “Not if he’s a Republican.” Voter “fraud” has become something of an obsession with the GOP. Despite overwhelming empirical evidence that it rarely occurs, Republicans have initiated all […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Fulford hopes populist appeal leads to win in U.S. House primary
Jonathan Fulford came to Maine to become a farmer. He wound up as a builder. Now he’s constructing a political campaign that he hopes will grow into a groundswell so powerful that it can sweep him all the way to the U.S. Capitol. Fulford, who lives in Monroe, is one of four Democrats vying for […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gibson quits state House race after Martin jumps in for GOP
[UPDATE: Rep. Steve King’s campaign ties Parkland’s Emma Gonzalez to ‘communist’ Cuba | A pro-civility Republican also emerges to challenge Les Gibson | ‘Horrified’ Democrat decides to take on Gibson for House seat | Leslie Gibson under fire for his comments on Parkland teens | Republican state senator, Democrats call for Gibson to withdraw from state House race] SABATTUS — Hoping to restore “some […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Beleaguered Leslie Gibson abandons state House race, seeks ‘peace and quiet’
SABATTUS — Hoping to restore “some peace and quiet in our lives,” controversial Republican candidate Leslie Gibson abandoned his effort to win a state House seat Friday. “I am not walking away with my head hung low. I am walking away with my head held high,” said Gibson, a Sabattus resident. Gibson said he made […]
Posted inMaine, News
Video: Blogger says Paul LePage shoved her; he says she was chewing in his face
AUGUSTA— Maine Gov. Paul LePage had an interesting interaction with a blogger outside his office Thursday. And there’s video. A 20-second clip posted on Facebook by WMTW-TV reporter Jim Keithley shows LePage speaking to a group of media members. In the front is Carol McCracken, of Portland, who writes a blog called Munjoy Hill News. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Poliquin calls for new state quarters to honor American women
To honor American women, Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin is teaming up with a California Democrat on a proposal to create a new series of 56 quarters that would feature a woman on the obverse picked by each state and territory. “Our great nation was built and shaped by courageous, pioneering and bold women,” Poliquin […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump jokes 'who's next?' as tumult engulfs White House
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump consumed Thursday morning’s TV headlines with amusement. Reports of tumult in the administration were at a feverish pitch — even on his beloved Fox News — as the president reflected on the latest staff departures during an Oval Office conversation with Vice President Mike Pence and Chief of Staff […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Primary field for Maine governor narrowed to 12 in two major parties
AUGUSTA — The two major parties finalized their gubernatorial slates for the June primaries Thursday, narrowing what had been a field of more than 24 candidates down to 12 – seven Democrats and five Republicans. Thursday was the deadline for candidates to turn in the signatures of 2,000 Maine voters to the Secretary of State’s […]