AUGUSTA — The Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Republican Paul LePage for Congress on Monday.
Joel Wilkinson, a retired law enforcement officer, said the Maine FOP has more than 1,000 members spread over 50 different agencies.
Wilkinson said he worked with LePage during his time as governor from 2011 to 2019.
“He was honest, he was hard working, he read every bit of material that came across his desk,” Wilkinson said.
He cited LePage’s support for increasing state law enforcement wages and his tough-on-crime stances as reasons for the endorsement.
LePage faces Democrat Matt Dunlap in the race for the 2nd Congressional District. The seat is open this year following a decision by U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat, not to seek reelection.
Matt Nadeau, president of the Maine FOP, said during his time as governor, LePage pushed for increased funding for the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and increased staff at the state police crime lab.
“We see first-hand how decisions made in Augusta and in Washington affect public safety, police officers, their families and the citizens they have all sworn to protect,” he said.
While governor, LePage drew criticism in 2016 for remarks about out-of-state drug dealers, saying they often “impregnate a young white girl before they leave.” He later apologized, saying was trying to focus attention on the state’s heroin epidemic.
On Monday, Nadeau mentioned a recent state law that restricts local cooperation with federal immigration agents, something he believes places officers and the community at risk.
LePage too expressed opposition to the law, calling it “sick.”
“They don’t want our law enforcement to communicate with federal law enforcement,” he said. “That is sick. That is sick. It’s criminal.”
When asked about Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Maine, LePage said while some mistakes have been made, he believes those who are not in the U.S. legally should be removed.
“Would I go after everybody that’s here that have work permits and have been here for decades, probably not,” he said. “I’d probably go for the gangs, people in the gangs, criminals. I would start there.”
He blamed Congress and the Senate for not passing comprehensive immigration reform.
He also mentioned a family member who is being deported because he “came from a country that’s not to the liking of certain people in Washington.”
“That’s not right,” LePage said. “He has a work permit. He should be allowed to stay.”