AUGUSTA, Maine — Another of Gov. Paul LePage’s policy priorities was rejected Thursday when the House of Representatives voted against his proposal to have governors appoint the attorney general instead of letting the Legislature decide.
The House voted 115-32 against LD 1417, LePage’s bid to have the governor appoint the attorney general, subject to final confirmation by the Senate. Maine is the only state in the country where the Legislature elects the attorney general. Each new Legislature elects an attorney general, treasurer and secretary of state every two years.
Arguments against the bill have centered on the notion that LePage is trying to consolidate power in the governor’s office. Those arguments have been bolstered by LePage’s own statements against Democratic Attorney General Janet Mills.
After clashing with Mills frequently during the second half of his first term, LePage told the Bangor Daily News just days after his re-election last year that he was intent on weakening her power. He said at the time that he would propose eliminating a requirement that the attorney general sign off on rules and policies developed by state departments. He also said he would propose the attorney general be popularly elected by the Maine people.
That conversation happened in the run-up to the election of constitutional offices in December 2014.
“If her job is safe, then the Democrats are putting a line in the sand really early in the game,” said LePage at the time.
LePage’s bill was opposed by all of the Democrats and numerous House Republicans. It faces additional votes but because of Thursday’s House vote, it is unlikely to move to enactment.
