Gov. Paul LePage has again told a Boston radio host that he is considering a run for the U.S. Senate in 2018 against incumbent Angus King.

LePage told Howie Carr that he was “strongly” considering a run against Maine’s independent senator during a chat Tuesday in the offices of WVOM in Augusta, where the conservative talk-show host had traveled to record the interview and have dinner at the Blaine House.

“I am thinking about it very strongly, ” the Republican said in response to Carr’s question about a U.S. Senate run. “I think we need leadership in Washington. Yeah, I might do that.”

This isn’t the first time LePage has said he’s considering taking on King, who has confirmed he’s running again in 2018. LePage told Carr the same thing on Jan. 12, but followed it up the next day with an interview in which he indicated it was a joke.

LePage spokeswoman Adrienne Bennett did not return a call or email seeking comment Tuesday night.

During Tuesday’s taping, LePage donned a hat bearing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.” He also referred to himself as “Baby Donald.”

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When a photo circulated on Twitter, unleashing a flurry of concern that LePage had abandoned his support of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who was a key supporter of LePage’s second gubernatorial run, the talk show host tweeted: “Just a little fun with a good hat” and a confirmation that LePage is still a Christie guy.

LePage did, however, have some advice for Trump, who continues to face questions about his latest entanglement with Fox News host Megyn Kelly. (On Tuesday, Trump said she had “no clue on immigration.” He also retweeted a tweet calling her a “bimbo.”)

LePage said one of his advisers had just told him Twitter was trouble: “You can only get into trouble with a Twitter account,” LePage told Carr.

The governor went on to suggest that Trump lay off the fight with Kelly, which stems from her tough questioning of him at the Aug. 6 Republican presidential candidates debate in Cleveland.

“You’ve got to let this stuff go and move on,” LePage said. “Move on to the issues.”

He also got in a jab at the press corps: “The daily newspapers in Maine are so bad you can’t even believe the obituaries,” LePage told Carr.


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