In case you missed it, the Portland Press Herald editorial board called out Republicans for embracing the ideas and supporters of extremist conspiracy theories such as “Great Replacement Theory,” which has been claimed as motivation by a number of racist mass shooters, including the recent shooting in Buffalo which claimed ten lives. The editorial pointed out that the Maine GOP has welcomed a number of adherents of “replacement theory” into its ranks—including former US Senate nominee Eric Brakey, former state party vice chair and Waterville mayor Nick Isgro, and former state Rep. Larry Lockman—primarily for electoral purposes: “the party needs the white-power extremists, just as it needs anti-immigrant, anti-transgender, anti-vaccination and QAnon elements…who provide the party with its energy and enthusiasm at election time… They are playing with fire, and we are all at risk.”
The editorial comes as the Maine GOP tries to mobilize its base around the campaign of former Governor Paul LePage, who once called for people of color to be shot, saying, “when you go to war…you shoot at the enemy…and the enemy right now…are people of color or people of Hispanic origin.” LePage has tried to distance himself from his previous divisive comments, but has been called out by Mainers for issuing hollow calls for unity while still supporting policies that would target Maine’s women, LGBTQ community, and people of color. At the Maine GOP Convention last month, the party embraced conspiracy theorists and adopted a party platform that includes several unpopular, hateful policies.