A Maine state representative accused of choking his wife after she confronted him about his infidelity is now facing calls to resign.

Rep. Lucas Lanigan was charged with domestic violence aggravated assault – a Class B crime – after he allegedly assaulted his wife Friday afternoon when she found him in a Springvale Safe Storage unit with another woman, according to court documents.

The arrest warrant states he grabbed his wife’s neck and choked her for about 20 seconds before she was able to leave and call her friends for help.

Sanford police were searching for Lanigan through the weekend until he turned himself in to the York County Jail around 9:30 a.m. on Monday. Lanigan, a Republican, represents the 141st District, comprising parts of Shapleigh, Newfield, Sanford and Springvale.

He was elected to the House in 2022 and is running for reelection on Tuesday against Democrat Patricia Kidder. He lives in the Springvale area of Sanford.

He is scheduled to make his first appearance in York County Superior Court at 1 p.m. Wednesday. He is being held at the jail without bail.

Democratic leaders, including the state Democratic Party, are calling for Lanigan to resign. Some are also calling for him to withdraw from the election.

State Rep. Lucas Lanigan, R-Sanford. Photo courtesy of Maine Legislature

Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross, the speaker of the House, issued a statement Tuesday demanding his resignation, citing his arrest “for a felony of the most egregious nature.” 

“In light of this serious offense, it is clear that he no longer has the public’s trust or the ethical or moral standing necessary to serve in the Maine House of Representatives,” Talbot Ross wrote. “Serving the public demands integrity and accountability – values that Representative Lanigan has violated.”

House Majority Leader Mo Terry, D-Gorham, and Assistant Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, echoed her comments and asked House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, and Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Amy Arata, R-New Gloucester, to join them in their call for his resignation.

Arata said in an interview that she is “shocked” by the allegations, because Lanigan only spoke lovingly about his family in floor speeches. But she said it would be “premature” to demand Lanigan’s resignation.

“I acknowledge that the allegations are very serious, and I do agree domestic violence is unacceptable,” Arata said. “However, it’s premature to call for Rep. Lanigan’s resignation until he’s had his day in court.”

Arata said she reached out to Lanigan when reports surfaced about police looking for him and asked him if he was OK.

“He texted me right back,” Arata said, adding that Lanigan said he was fine. “I didn’t get the feeling he was hiding or anything.”

Faulkingham said in a text message that “I trust our justice system and remain confident that our justice system is the best in the world and that it will be resolved there.”

Maine Republican Party Chairman Joel Stetkis did not respond to a voicemail or a text message requesting an interview.

Ryan Fecteau, a former House speaker and Democrat from Biddeford, also posted a statement on social media on Tuesday morning calling for Lanigan to drop out of the race.

1/3 Over the weekend, an arrest warrant was issued for State Representative Lucas Lanigan of Sanford. He turned himself in on Monday morning. The police report details strangulation of his wife. She went to the hospital and the report details her gruesome injuries.

— Ryan Fecteau ??? (@SpeakerFecteau) October 29, 2024

“He should be held accountable by the law and should seek the help he needs,” Fecteau wrote.

The chair of the state Democratic Party also called for Lanigan to withdraw.

“The allegations are appalling, and they are far beyond the conduct we as Mainers will tolerate from anyone claiming or seeking to represent us in the state Legislature,” Maine Democratic Party Chair Bev Uhlenhake said in a statement.

Staff Writer Randy Billings contributed to this report.