OLD Orchard Beach, Maine – Republican firebrand and Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan traveled to Old Orchard Beach on Friday to throw his support behind former Maine Governor Paul LePage as LePage ramps up his campaign for Maine’s Second Congressional District seat.
The event, held at Dunegrass Country Club, drew Republican activists, donors, and supporters eager to hear from two of the GOP’s most recognizable conservative voices. Maine Republican Party Chairman Jim Deyermond opened the event by praising LePage’s rise from poverty in Lewiston to the Blaine House and now, potentially, Congress.
Deyermond recounted LePage’s difficult childhood, describing how he fled an abusive home at age 11 and survived by shining shoes and taking odd jobs in Lewiston before eventually attending college and building a successful business career.
“Paul LePage is a Trump-endorsed, battle-tested conservative who will go to Washington and fight for secure borders, energy independence, lower taxes, less regulation and peace through strength,” Deyermond told the crowd.
LePage, speaking before Jordan took the stage, reflected on his early struggles with language barriers and education, joking that when he took his college entrance exam, “if you spelled your name correctly, you got 200 points. I fell short of 300.”
LePage said officials later allowed him to retake the exam in French, where he scored a 750, proving the issue was language, not ability.
The former governor also recounted the local political fight that first pushed him into public office, describing how he challenged a Lewiston mayoral administration after the city attempted to transfer valuable riverfront property to a relative for one dollar.
Jordan used much of his speech to energize the Republican base ahead of November, framing the upcoming election as a battle over the future direction of the country. He repeatedly contrasted conservative policies with what he described as the “craziness” of the political left. “Their crazy, we’re not.”
“We live in the best place ever,” Jordan said. “And the left is going to ruin it.”
Jordan touched on immigration, sanctuary cities, transgender athletes, crime, and federal spending, while also defending President Donald Trump and praising Trump’s resilience through years of investigations and political attacks.
“What did you tell the voters you were going to do when you put your name on the ballot and ran for the job?” Jordan said. “If you get elected, go do what you said. Nobody does it better than Trump.”
Jordan also praised LePage’s welfare reform efforts during his time as governor, saying Maine had been ahead of the curve on work requirements and government accountability.
The Ohio congressman framed LePage as exactly the kind of candidate Republicans need in Washington, calling him “a good common-sense fighter willing to make change.”
Jordan also emphasized the national importance of Maine’s congressional and Senate races, urging Republicans to back both LePage and Susan Collins in 2026.
“Senator Collins has got to win this thing,” Jordan said. “She is an important part of the coalition that stops the craziness.”
Jordan also praised President Trump repeatedly throughout his remarks, defending the president against years of investigations and impeachment efforts while calling him “a good man who loves this country.” Jordan argued Trump has consistently followed through on his campaign promises, including securing the border, cutting taxes, and reshaping foreign policy.
LePage’s congressional bid has quickly become one of the highest-profile races in Maine, with Republicans hoping the former governor’s name recognition, populist message, and endorsement from Trump can help flip Maine’s Second District back to the GOP in November.
LePage has MORE THAN JUST TOUGH TALK to earn him a seat in government .
I pray he isn’t defeated by the democrats’ Ranked Choice Scheme .
Don’t forget ….it is Sheena who is counting the votes .