AUGUSTA – The Maine ethics commission Friday dismissed complaints brought by the state Democratic and Republican parties regarding the race for governor.

The Maine Public Broadcasting Network reported that the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices unanimously voted not to investigate a Democratic Party complaint that accused Republican Gov. Paul LePage of using state resources to benefit his re-election campaign.

Among other things, Democrats said it was inappropriate that a spokesman for LePage’s campaign was riding in the governor’s state-funded vehicle.

Republicans told the commission that any use of the vehicle was dictated by the governor’s security concerns.

Democratic Party Chairman Ben Grant said in a statement the party is considering other avenues and may seek an investigation by the Maine Attorney General’s Office.

The Republican Party had accused Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, who’s running for governor, of using money from his federal campaign fund for the governor’s race.

Republicans withdrew part of their complaint after some of the issues were explained by Michaud’s staff. The ethics commission didn’t believe the remainder of the complaint required an investigation.


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