Paul LePage Takes First Steps To Run For Maine Governor In 2022

Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage has filed paperwork for another run for governor in 2022.

On Thursday, LePage, a Republican, filed paperwork with the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices to register as a candidate for governor in 2022.  With the filing complete, LePage can now begin raising campaign funds.

The next step for LePage will be filing the necessary paperwork with the Maine Secretary of State's Office to gather the required signatures to appear on the 2022 ballot.

LePage's run for a third term as Governor of Maine is not unexpected. LePage, 72, had said since leaving office he would challenge current Democratic Gov. Janet Mills in 2022. The former Governor served in his role from 2011 through 2019. Term limits prevented a third consecutive run in 2018.

Paul LePage's official website features a countdown clock that ends Monday, July 5.

LePage won his first term in office in 2010 with 31.8 percent of the vote in a three-way race with Eliot Cutler, an independent, and Libby Mitchell, a Democrat. Lepage won reelection in 2014 with 48 percent of the vote over U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Millinocket.