U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) traveled to Maine Monday to campaign alongside former Gov. Paul LePage (R), bringing one of the Republican Party’s most powerful figures to Auburn as the GOP sets its sights on flipping Maine’s open 2nd Congressional District seat in November.
Johnson joined LePage at Auburn Concrete, where the former two-term governor is campaigning to succeed Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, who is not seeking reelection.
LePage will face Democratic State Auditor Matt Dunlap in November in a contest expected to draw significant national attention as Republicans and Democrats battle for control of the U.S. House.
For LePage, Johnson’s appearance was also an opportunity to make the case that his eight years running Maine state government would allow him to arrive in Washington as something other than a typical freshman congressman.
“I’m not a lifelong politician,” LePage told those gathered at the Auburn business. “I’m running for Congress not because I need a job. I’m running for Congress to help create better jobs.”
LePage returned repeatedly to a theme that defined his years in the Blaine House: government does not create prosperity, businesses and workers do.
He argued government’s role should be to reduce taxes and regulations and then “get the hell out of the way.”
LePage pointed to his record as governor, including paying down roughly $750 million in outstanding hospital debt, reducing taxes and regulations, and changing Maine’s treatment of military retirement income.
He also touted federal tax changes affecting overtime workers, arguing that allowing employees to keep more of their earnings ultimately puts money back into local businesses and communities.
At Auburn Concrete, LePage said employees collectively benefited by hundreds of thousands of dollars from the federal no-tax-on-overtime provision.
“This is just one small company,” LePage said, arguing that money left in workers’ pockets is money that can circulate through Maine’s economy.
Johnson: LePage Would Not Be a Typical Freshman
Johnson offered an enthusiastic endorsement of the former governor, calling LePage one of the most qualified congressional candidates in the country.
“There are a lot of people running for Congress this cycle,” Johnson said. “There is no one who is as qualified as this gentleman.”
Johnson recounted LePage’s personal story, from leaving a troubled home as a child and struggling with English to eventually earning an MBA, working in business, becoming mayor of Waterville and serving two terms as governor.
“He came from very humble beginnings,” Johnson said, describing LePage as an example of upward mobility in America.
Johnson said LePage’s executive experience would distinguish him immediately from most incoming House members.
“He’s done the things he said,” Johnson said. “He reduced taxes. He reduced regulations. He provided jobs for Mainers.”
Johnson was joined in Maine by Republican Reps. Craig Goldman of Texas, Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma and Jen Kiggans of Virginia.
Their presence underscored the national significance Republicans are placing on Maine’s sprawling 2nd District.
The seat is open after Golden’s decision not to seek reelection. Although Golden managed to win the district repeatedly as a Democrat, President Donald Trump carried the district in each of the past three presidential elections.
Johnson Draws Sharp Contrast With Dunlap
Johnson used much of his appearance to draw an ideological contrast between LePage and Dunlap, framing the November election as part of a larger national fight over the direction of the country.
He described the election as a choice between what he called “common sense” Republican policies and a Democratic Party moving increasingly toward the political left.
Johnson specifically criticized Dunlap’s support for Medicare for All and his previous political alignment with former Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner.
Dunlap has publicly campaigned on policies including Medicare for All, affordable childcare and reducing the cost of living.
Johnson predicted Republicans would flip the 2nd District in November.
“We are going to flip the 2nd District in this election,” Johnson said.
The Speaker said Republicans view Maine’s 2nd District as one of a relatively small number of competitive seats that could determine control of the House.
Chinese Grow Houses and MaineCare Fraud
During a question-and-answer session, Johnson was asked, by the Maine Wire, about two issues that have become increasingly prominent in Maine: Chinese-linked illegal marijuana growing operations in rural communities and allegations of fraud involving Medicaid-funded health care programs.
Johnson described China as both a major trading partner and an American adversary, saying Congress must remain aggressive about protecting intellectual property, American jobs and domestic markets.
“We have to regard them,” Johnson said. “They are a big trading partner, but we also see them as an adversary in so many ways.”
On health care fraud, Johnson said Republicans in Washington are working with the Trump administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz to identify improper spending within Medicare and Medicaid.
“Fraud is a massive problem across the board,” Johnson said.
Johnson argued LePage’s experience overseeing state government would be valuable in identifying waste and fraud in federal programs.
“The thing Governor LePage brings to the table is the insight of having run [a state], where he knows where those problems are,” Johnson said.
The comments come as Maine’s Medicaid program, MaineCare, faces increased scrutiny over suspected fraudulent billing and improper payments.
Asked About Biddeford ICE Shooting
Johnson was also asked about the fatal July shooting involving an ICE agent in Biddeford, roughly 45 minutes south of Auburn, and the continuing controversy surrounding federal immigration enforcement.
Johnson declined to reach a conclusion about the shooting while investigations remain underway.
“The investigation is underway, and I think the responsible thing for us is to withhold judgment until we find out exactly what the facts are,” Johnson said.
At the same time, Johnson defended the broader Trump administration effort to enforce federal immigration law and remove illegal immigrants with criminal records.
“You have to have a secure border and you have to enforce immigration,” Johnson said, adding that enforcement must be carried out “in a balanced way” and in a manner that “makes sense.”
His comments came just hours after Democratic members of Congress held a field hearing at Biddeford High School examining ICE’s use of force in the fatal shooting of Johan Sebastian Duran Guerrero.
Health Care Costs Take Center Stage
Johnson also fielded questions about an issue likely to loom large in the CD2 contest: the availability and affordability of health care in rural Maine.
The Speaker pointed to Republican efforts targeting pharmacy benefit managers, commonly known as PBMs, as well as proposals intended to increase price transparency.
Johnson said patients should be able to compare the cost of procedures such as MRIs before deciding where to receive care.
“There are a lot of innovative thoughts and ideas on the table,” Johnson said. “We continue to draw down the cost and make sure insurance is affordable for everyone.”
LePage said health care would be a priority if elected, invoking reforms undertaken during his administration and promising to dig into the issue in Washington.
What Would LePage Do in Congress?
One of the final questions focused on what role LePage could play if elected — and whether Johnson had already considered possible committee assignments for the former governor.
Johnson said freshman members typically serve on two committees, but suggested LePage’s background could make him suited for considerably more.
“I can think of six committees off the top of my head where he would do extraordinary work,” Johnson said.
The Speaker predicted LePage would quickly become an influential member of the Republican conference.
“He’s going to be one of these guys in leadership because of who he is, his integrity, his character,” Johnson said. “Mainers are going to do so well by sending him to Washington.”
When asked how many terms he would serve if elected, LePage did not commit to a specific number, saying his tenure would depend on his health and ability to continue doing the job.
The Monday appearance offered an early indication of how aggressively national Republicans intend to contest Maine’s 2nd District.
Dunlap emerged from a four-way Democratic primary after ranked-choice tabulation in June, while LePage ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.
With Golden leaving Congress, neither candidate enters November with the advantage of incumbency.
And with control of the House potentially resting on a relatively small collection of competitive districts, Maine’s 2nd District is once again finding itself on the national political map.
Johnson made clear Monday that Republicans intend to treat it that way.
“I can’t wait for LePage to join us in the House,” Johnson said.
I hope Maine has the “ Common Sense “ to elect Paul LePage who is the only “ Common Sense “ candidate .
Dunlop is just another stereotype , Democrat Party partisan tool, who will choose party over state in all his votes .
We need Dunlop like we need a hole in the head .
and …….
A hole in the head , is exactly what we’ll get , if the voters foolishly choose Pingree for governor .