Home | Blogs | Blog Briefing Room | News
February 26, 2016, 04:55 pm

Maine governor endorses Trump

By Jesse Byrnes

Paul LePage, Maine, Vaseline
Facebook

Maine Gov. Paul LePage has endorsed Donald TrumpDonald TrumpTrump campaign CEO once charged with domestic violence: reports Trump claims ignorance on alt-right movement Trump campaign raising .5 million for transition efforts: report MORE, becoming the second Republican governor on Friday to back the GOP presidential candidate. 

"Now I get to defend all the good stuff he says," LePage laughed after announcing his endorsement on "The Howie Carr Show."

ADVERTISEMENT
LePage said he didn't agree with everything Trump says, but praised the candidate's "Make America Great Again" slogan: "He's showing a vision for the future."

LePage had endorsed Chris Christie in the GOP race, before the New Jersey governor dropped out after a poor showing in New Hampshire earlier this month. 

Christie endorsed Trump on Friday and immediately went to work bashing the businessman's top remaining rivals, including Marco RubioMarco RubioAnalysis: Clinton speaks at higher grade level than Trump Trump poised to betray primary supporters on immigration Senate Dems' campaign arm knocks GOP for Trump support MORE. 

Trump faced a barrage of attacks from Rubio and Ted CruzTed CruzThe Trail 2016: On the fringe FULL SPEECH: Hillary Clinton links Trump to 'alt-right' in Reno Presidential hopefuls still bank on retail politics MORE in Thursday's GOP debate.

LePage has repeatedly drawn attention for blunt rhetoric about crime and minorities.

In January, LePage said drug traffickers with names like "D-Money," "Smoothie" and "Shifty" were importing heroin into his state.
 
"Incidentally, half the time they impregnate a young white girl before they leave," LePage added at a town hall. He had denied his remarks were racist. 
 
LePage on Friday knocked Cruz and Rubio for contributing to "creating the gridlock" in Washington, and criticized Rubio for not showing up for a vote.
 
LePage suggested Trump take advice from former rivals like Christie and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who is still in the GOP race.
 
"I think he could be one of the greatest presidents ever if he sits down and puts together a good team," LePage said.
 
–Updated at 5:20 p.m.
Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Maine, 2016 GOP primary

More in News

Steve King explains comments about working with Clinton

Read more »