In case you missed it, in a Maine Public article about the threat Republicans pose to abortion rights in Maine, far-right anti-abortion activist Mike McClellan of the Christian Civic League called Paul LePage an “ally” of their cause. McClellan also said his organization’s goal is “no abortions at all in Maine” and that he anticipates a wide slate of anti-abortion bills if Republicans gain control of the State House.
McClellan’s comments come after the Maine GOP policy platform endorsed draconian abortion restrictions by declaring life begins at conception and Paul LePage indicated he would sign abortion restrictions into law if re-elected. In LePage’s first stint as governor, he was a steadfast opponent of Mainers’ abortion rights. With the Supreme Court poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, and Republican-controlled states around the country passing laws to criminalize abortion and punish abortion patients, LePage could do the same here in a second stint in the Blaine House.
“Anti-abortion extremists are saying the quiet part out loud: they want to make abortion in Maine a crime, and they think Paul LePage is the man to do it,” said Drew Gattine, Chair of the Maine Democratic Party. “Governor Mills has been a champion for abortion rights in Maine, and will always stand up to make sure that Mainers can make their own decisions about their reproductive health and future. We must re-elect her this November or the freedom to make those decisions will be at risk.”
For more on Paul LePage and the Maine GOP’s plans to restrict abortion rights in Maine, check out the following: