Scarborough state Sen. Amy Volk may have unwittingly set off a firestorm with a post on Facebook that that called into question the recent behavior of Gov. Paul LePage, including a voicemail to Westbrook state Rep. Drew Gattine that was laced with obscenities, as well as saying, “I’m after you.”

Volk and LePage are both Republicans and Gattine is a Democrat. In her Facebook post, Volk wondered whether the governor’s recent actions were due to substance abuse or mental illness.

The full Legislature is up for re-election this fall, and Volk is being challenged by Democrat Jean-Maria Caterina, a Scarborough town councilor, for the Senate District 30 seat.

As of the Current’s print deadline Tuesday, LePage had publicly announced his intention to apologize to Gattine and said he would consult with family and staff to discuss his future.

In addition, the state’s Republican lawmakers were set to meet on Tuesday at 6 p.m., after the Current’s deadline to discuss what action, if any, the Legislature should take, including a possible censure, which was endorsed by Volk.

Also, a town hall-style meeting with the governor scheduled for Westbrook on Wednesday, Aug. 31, was canceled.

Asked for comment on her Facebook post, Volk said only, “Taking a stand is not about supporting or not supporting the governor’s policies, it’s about identifying inappropriate behavior and rhetoric. The only thing I would add is that I regret speculating about what may be going on with Gov. LePage. (However), I am concerned for his health.”

She added, “I wrote my Facebook post because I am concerned about Gov. LePage’s behavior, as well as its impact on our state and our citizens, and my constituents deserve to know that.”

In her Facebook post, which went online Sunday, Volk wrote, “Dear friends and constituents,I share your deep concerns regarding the governor’s behavior. What I do not know is whether it is due to substance abuse, mental illness or just ignorance.”

She said, “Things definitely appear to be out of control. Leadership is considering whether we need a special session of the Legislature (and) some sort of censure would seem appropriate.

“It’s very sad that we seem to have sunk to a new low in Maine’s political environment. Up until this point, I have refrained from publicly criticizing any of the governor’s behavior both out of respect for the office and a desire to preserve a working relationship with him and his staff, but this latest and the unwelcome attention it has brought to our state (has gone) too far for me.”

Volk’s post continued, “I believe in most of the governor’s policies and I always believed his heart was in the right place, but I can no longer remain silent about his behavior and what it is costing all of us. I aim to serve with dignity and civility and I believe the people of Maine deserve those qualities in all of their elected officials.”

The question Republican lawmakers must decide this week is what, if anything, could or should be done based on the governor’s latest actions, which also include racially charged claims that all those dealing drugs in Maine come from out of state and are either black or Hispanic.

Caterina released a statement Monday, which said, in part, “Gov. LePage has long utilized unfortunate exploitations of fear and bigotry when addressing issues that are not in line with his narrow world view, choosing to scapegoat those who live in poverty, lambast those who oppose his agenda and threaten those who are not afraid to call him out on his unacceptable behavior. It is long past time for this to stop.”

The statement added, “Some of the governor’s allies in the Legislature are finally coming out of the shadows to offer weak statements asking the governor to apologize or, most recently, suggesting that a special session be held in order to vote on censuring the governor. Regrettably, these suggestions seek to accomplish nothing more than providing political cover for legislators in an election year. Gov. LePage’s recent remarks require much more than a slap on the wrist, particularly since the remarks are part of an extended pattern of unacceptable behavior.”

And, Caterina said, “The governor’s policies can no longer be divorced from his character, and Maine needs better from the leader of our state. Gov. LePage will not be on the ballot (this fall), but his long-time supporters will be. Rejecting the politics of fear and belligerence in the Blaine House means replacing those incumbents who have supported Mr. LePage and his actions for six long years.”

Amy Volk

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