Republicans Caucus This Evening Over LePage’s Future

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South Portland State Representative Kevin J. Battle Late This Afternoon on the Portland Waterfront.

South Portland State Representative Kevin J. Battle Late This Afternoon on the Portland Waterfront.

An Image of the Maine Governor That Appeared on Meet the Press, NBC. This Morning.

An Image of the Maine Governor That Appeared on Meet the Press, NBC. Recently.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,705)

“Things are in the works.  We just have to wait,” said State Representative Kevin J. Battle late this afternoon.  Battle said that there is to be a Republican caucus at 6:00 pm this evening in Augusta to discuss the future of the embattled Governor Paul LePage,  The meeting will take place at the Governor Mills Mansion in Augusta.  Following the caucus Republicans will hold a press conference to make an announcement regarding the future of the Governor.  That press conference could come later this evening or sometime tomorrow – depending on how long the caucus goes on.

Four Republican leaders met with the Governor today.  One of them was Senate President Mike Thibodeau who would succeed LePage should he resign from office.  Freshman representative Battle said he has been in touch with Republicans primarily by telephone today. Captain Battle, who represents District 33 in South Portland,  is the Assistant Harbor Master in Portland. He was unable to be in Augusta today for the caucus to come this evening. He has applied for the recently vacated position of Harbor Master.

Captain Battle said this afternoon:  “We all want to do the right thing to represent the people of Maine.  We are supposed to be civil.  Everyone is civil up there.  A lot of times the media will dwell on what is wrong.  In this case, the Governor was inappropriate and unprofessional,” Battle said. Battle succeeded Brian Kenwrath (D) who was termed out.

Battle was born in an orphanage for unwed mothers in Ireland – the Sean Ross Abby  He was adopted and grew up in the New York-New Jersey area.   He joined the US Coast Guard and was sent to Portland in 1980.  “I made up my mind after I got to Maine I wouldn’t stay here ’cause of the cold weather. You can see how well that worked out for me,” Battle said laughing.

He said he has tried to find his birth mother, but has been unable to do so yet. .  Her name is Kathleen Sheedy.  “I would like to tell her that I think I turned out pretty well.  I’d also like to thank her for having me.”