Paul LePage, who is currently running for U.S. Congress in Maine\u2019s 2nd District, is once again facing scrutiny over his Florida residence after one of his Democratic opponents released documents showing the wife of the Republican former governor has claimed a Florida property tax exemption since 2018.<\/p>\n
Matt Dunlap, one of four primary candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Rep. Jared Golden\u2019s seat, shared the documents at a Thursday press conference with reporters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maine Morning Star independently verified the public records, which include tax records that show a property in Ann LePage\u2019s name has received an annual $50,000 homestead exemption from 2018 through 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To qualify for the homestead exemption in Florida, the property must be the owner\u2019s permanent residence, or the permanent residence of a dependent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dunlap\u2019s campaign also highlighted a mortgage for the Florida property naming Paul and Ann LePage as borrowers. A warranty deed names only Ann LePage, although a separate form transfers Paul LePage\u2019s power of attorney to Ann LePage to purchase the Florida property on his behalf.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Brent Littlefield, longtime advisor to LePage and chief strategist for LePage\u2019s congressional campaign, said implications by Dunlap are false.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLiberal activist Matt Dunlap is so desperate for attention on the eve of his primary that he is falsely attacking Governor LePage,\u201d Littlefield said in an email. \u201cPaul and Ann are Mainers, are Maine residents, and did a phenomenal job as Governor and First Lady improving Maine\u2019s economy and lifting up Maine Veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dunlap said the documents raise questions about LePage\u2019s commitment to Maine, as he makes his bid for the House seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaine voters are entitled to a representative whose feet are actually on the ground here, whose property taxes paid for our schools, our roads, our first responders,\u201d Dunlap said. \u201cWhose home, actual home, the place where he goes when the cameras are off, is in the state he\u2019s asking to represent.\u201d<\/p>\n