WATERVILLE – On Friday, with the last few days of campaigning in sight and poll after poll showing him with a commanding lead, Paul LePage took something of a breather.
The Republican gubernatorial nominee started his Friday with an hour-long appearance on “The Ray and Ted Show” on WLOB in Portland.
LePage spoke on the conservative radio program from about 8 to 9 a.m. with hosts Ray Richardson and Ted Talbot.
“Paul did a great job today,” Richardson said afterward.
Richardson said he was impressed by LePage’s comments that he’s “not looking to destroy the rules that protect our environment,” but looking to “streamline the process.”
On education, LePage “firmly stated” that it’s the job of the governor and Legislature to meet the 55 percent funding allocation that citizens voted for.
During the show, about 20 people called in to ask questions, Richardson said, including several who identified themselves as undecided voters.
LePage also committed to make outstanding payments to the state’s hospitals for services under the state’s MaineCare program.
He pledged to pay “half in the first session and the other half in the second session,” Richardson said.
“It was a very informative hour,” Richardson said.
“If you didn’t really know who Paul LePage was before that hour, you certainly did after it.”
After that, LePage spent time in the Lewiston-Auburn area. He stopped in at The Italian Bakery at 225 Bartlett St. — a favorite place of his — then went to get a haircut at Smith’s Barber Shop in Auburn.
“I go in there a lot,” LePage said of The Italian Bakery. “I went in to shake some hands; I got some pastries.”
LePage then returned to Waterville, where he had a relatively light schedule involving meetings at his campaign headquarters on Main Street.
During the afternoon, LePage mostly attended to his work as general manager of the Marden’s stores, and in between took phone calls from supporters and answered questions from the press.
LePage held no formal campaign events.
Shortly after 6 p.m., he was returning home to spend time with the family of his wife, Ann.
The family members had recently arrived from Florida and will stick around through the election, he said.
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