LePage outlines platform while making run for governor official

PORTLAND (WGME) – Maine's governor's race is on.

Former Governor Paul LePage submitted signatures Wednesday to get on the 2022 ballot.

• Also read: Paul LePage to submit signatures to formally enter 2022 governor's race
  

With supporters behind him, LePage walked past the Blaine House to make his run for an unprecedented third term as governor official.

On COVID, LePage vows to end the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers, which could allow unvaccinated employees to return to hospitals and nursing homes.

"The heroes of 2020 got fired in 2021,” LePage said. “They're going to come back to work."

The state says more than 98 percent of hospital workers have complied with the mandate, and Maine hospitals universally supported it to protect patients.

"They made a mistake,” LePage said. “They simply were wrong."

LePage also says mask mandates are hurting children, although the Governor Janet Mills administration has recommended, but not required them.

"Take the mask off the kids and let them be kids,” LePage said. “We can deal with COVID in a very safe manner if we all do our part."

He did not specify what he means by "doing our part."

The former governor also wants to make community colleges part of the public school system, K-thru-14, as he put it.

• Also read: Gov. Mills touts plan to offer free community college, help workforce shortage

"I would force every community college to concentrate on our trades," LePage said.

However, some students from low- and middle-income families often go to community college for two years to save money on tuition before transferring to another college or university.

He also went after Mills' plan to give back half the $822 million budget surplus to Maine taxpayers.

• Also read: Gov. Mills proposes sweeping investments in education, health care during annual address
  

He says he plans to reinstate work search requirements for the unemployed, even though they're already in effect.

"If you're able-bodied, you need to go to work," LePage said.

The Maine Democratic Party says, "LePage’s tenure was a disaster for Maine people. Governor Mills has returned leadership and integrity to the Blaine House, and the result has been enormous progress."

In nine months, Maine voters go to the polls to likely decide between the governor and former governor in what's expected to be a very divisive race.