AUGUSTA — Cheryl Russell, Gov. Paul LePage’s nominee to lead the state Department of Labor, has withdrawn her name from consideration for the post, the Governor’s Office said in a statement.

Just last week, LePage announced that Russell was his pick to take the job. Russell, 52, had spent 17 years working for her family business, Hanington Bros. Inc., a third-generation logging company. Most recently she owned Competitive Edge Consulting LLC.

The statement released by LePage today said she has “some business matters” that prevent her from becoming a Cabinet member.

“Cheryl Russell has informed me that she has some business matters that she must continue attending to that prevent her from serving in my Cabinet,” LePage said in a statement. “I appreciate Cheryl’s strong interest in serving the people of Maine and wish her continued success as a business leader.”
 

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