LEWISTON — Bobby Charles supporters expressed concern about a variety of issues Wednesday, including the cost of living, the state’s foster care system and K-12 education.
Charles, the Republican candidate for governor, shared the town hall stage with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who said Charles is focused on lowering prices.
Christie, a Republican who broke with President Donald Trump in 2020 after Trump’s false stolen election claims, said Charles will also break with Trump when it’s best for Mainers.
In particular, he mentioned tariffs, saying Charles will stand up to Trump to oppose tariffs on Canada when they drive up prices.
“He is going to take on anyone, president of the United States, the Congress or anyone else who gets in the way to try to lower prices here in Maine to try to make it more affordable for all of you,” Christie said.
Charles, an attorney, former Washington lobbyist and Naval intelligence officer, is taking on former Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree, a Democrat and independent Rick Bennett. All are competing to succeed Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who has served eight years.
Dozens of Charles’ supporters gathered in a hotel function room in Lewiston for the town hall, which was also attended by students from Bates College.
One of the college students asked Charles about his position on Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in Maine, saying “people are scared.”
Charles said he has questions about the fatal shooting of an immigrant in July in Biddeford — he called it “tragic” — but also said the Democrats’ support for a state law prohibiting cooperation with ICE agents makes it difficult for them to do their jobs.
“When you cut off the communication now, you’re having a very difficult time doing the thing that traditionally has been done which is coordinate,” he said.
Another man asked about education in Maine, saying he’s concerned that younger people tend to support “the Democratic socialist agenda.”
Charles said Maine had the best schools in the country in the early 1990s. He said as governor, he would visit all 165 high schools in the state.
“We have to go back to outcomes,” he said. “We need to empower teachers and disempower the bureaucracy.”
Charles drew loud claps and cheers when he talked about dismantling the state Department of Health and Human Services, saying the state has not done enough to protect children in the child welfare system.
“I am going to completely dismantle DHHS, from top to bottom,” he said. “That department is filled with what we used to call mis, mal and nonfeasance. Negligence, recklessness and intentional looking away from the pain in people’s eyes.”