Maine’s Camden After a recount on Thursday, a Republican legislator in Maine who was accused of strangling his wife last month was re-elected by a single vote.
Days before the election, state representative Lucas Lanigan turned himself in after being accused of serious assault and domestic abuse, according to WCSH, an NBC affiliate in Maine. A police affidavit that WCSH was able to get claims that Lanigan choked his wife after she confronted him about a supposed affair.
At first, it appeared that he and Democratic opponent Patty Kidder were tied in their contest for a state House seat that represented a portion of Southern Maine.
Following a manual recount, the secretary of state’s office announced on Thursday that Lanigan had won by a single vote, with 2,478 votes to Kidder’s 2,477.
NBC News reached out to Lanigan for comment, but he did not reply. He has refuted any misconduct in the criminal case.
Two days after the election, Lanigan said on Facebook that he was defending himself against these “ridiculous charges.” “I have thick skin but for my family enough is enough,” the writer stated.
Later, Lanigan’s wife begged for the charges to be dismissed, claiming she didn’t believe he meant to harm her. However, prosecutors are still pursuing the case, claiming that victims of domestic abuse occasionally change their minds when pressured by their abusers, according to WCSH.
Prosecutors claimed that woman was hospitalized with bruises on both sides of her neck that were indicative of strangling, according to WCSH.
After Lanigan was charged with the offense, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail and a $20,000 fine, Democrats quickly demanded his resignation.
Maine Democratic Party Chair Bev Uhlenhake said, “The acts detailed in the warrant for State Representative Lucas Lanigan’s arrest for domestic violence aggravated assault are extremely disturbing and are disqualifying for any elected official or individual seeking public office.”
Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, the state House’s top Republican, stated that although he took the matter seriously, he preferred to let the judicial process play out.
Faulkingham told the Portland Press Herald, “Obviously, these are very serious charges.” That, in my opinion, is what made this contest so close. However, Rep. Lanigan is entitled to due process, and the matter will be resolved in court.
The recount demonstrates that every vote matters, Faulkingham continued.
Democrats will continue to control both chambers of the Maine state legislature, despite Republicans making slight gains in this year’s elections. Due to recounts, the outcome of five state House seats is still up in the air.
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