AUGUSTA — A Democratic state lawmaker said Tuesday that Gov. Janet Mills retaliated against her because she supports independent Rick Bennett for governor. 

Rep. Lydia Crafts of Newcastle said earlier this year, she endorsed Bennett for governor because of her concerns about one-party control in Augusta. 

“My endorsement was not a direct criticism of any of the primary candidates at the time but rather an honest statement aligned with my own personal values,” she said. “I’ve been in Augusta long enough to know that there would be consequences for my endorsement of Rick Bennett.” 

After six years in the Legislature, including a tenure as chairwoman of the Transportation Committee, Crafts decided not to seek reelection. She said the Maine Department of Transportation then approached her and asked if she would consider applying for a job as a legislative liaison for the department. 

She said she made it through two rounds of interviews and was told by DOT in late August that the department had chosen her for the post. 

“The hiring was then blocked by Gov. Mills,” Crafts said. “Given the timing and circumstance surrounding my endorsement, I believe I was being punished for exercising my political independence by endorsing Rick Bennett.” 

Bennett, a former Republican, is one of three people running for governor this year. He faces Democrat Hannah Pingree, who worked for Mills for six years, and Republican Bobby Charles, on the Nov. 3 ballot. 

In response to Crafts’ allegations, Mills’ spokeswoman Anna Parker said many positions are now being left open in deference to the new governor. 

“With just over three months remaining in Gov. Mills’ term, her administration has decided to leave many hiring decisions for the next governor and new administration,” she said. “The governor believes it is appropriate and right to leave staffing decisions, like for the position at Maine DOT, to the judgment of the next governor — regardless of who they are — so that that person may build out a government they believe is best reflective of the will of Maine people.” 

Later Tuesday, Crafts responded by saying that other similar positions were filled even late in the governor’s term. 

“It waited only when the applicant was someone who endorsed the wrong candidate,” she said.