Under the Radar Election

“We’re seeing our taxes go up and our freedoms eroded. The government is putting the shackles of economic slavery to each and every one of us. The Maine taxpayer has been put at an extreme disadvantage.” -- Paul LePage

He's been described as the "Tea Party candidate," and even "Far Right." He is the Mayor of Waterville, a working class town in the southeast coast. He has an entirely Democrat city council.

From the Bangor Daily News:

In Waterville, LePage lowered taxes 13 percent in six years, improved the city’s credit rating and increased the rainy day fund from $1 million to $10 million...

Continuing:

“I’ve heard that some people think I’m a nutcase or some kind of wacko conservative extremist,” said LePage during a recent interview at Waterville City Hall. “If those accomplishments are what makes a wacko, then I’m a wacko. I’m a fiscal conservative, and I’m not ashamed of it.”

Now this morning this description from RedDiva's Drivel, primary relection round-up:

The Democratic Primary winner, State Senator Elizabeth Mitchell, will face the Republican Primary winner, Paul LePage who is more Libertarian than Republican, and three Independent candidates in November.

He won a crowded primary field last night, with 8 candidates.

REPUBLICAN

Paul LePage – 20,393 (37.7%)

Les Otten – 9,302 (17.2%)

Peter Mills – 7,465 (13.8%)

He also leans libertarian on social matters. From the Bangor Daily News, June 9:

Casinos also trigger the debate between the libertarian perspective and the view that government must protect people from their worst instincts.

The casino question is instructive for voters weighing the candidates...

On the hot issue of a proposed Casino in Oxford County, continuing:

Paul LePage said he was conflicted, but supported it.

LePage was endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus. According to Pine Tree Politics (a libertarian-leaning Republican website) former State Rep. and current ME RLC Chair Ken Lindell sent out a "Liberty Compact" to all the GOP primary candidates asking them to sign. Three of them, including LePage, signed it. It reads as follows:

“I (name), pledge to the citizens of the State of Maine and to the American people that, as their elected representative I will work to:

Restore liberty, not restrict it; shrink government, not expand it; reduce taxes, not raise them; abolish programs, not create them; promote the freedom and independence of citizens, not the interference of government in their lives; and observe the limited, enumerated powers of our Constitution, not ignore them.”

LePage also won the all-important straw poll at the recent GOP State Convention.