Two Republican lawmakers in Maine were censured after suggesting that the state’s deadliest mass shooting was a result of God’s anger over a bill that expanded access to abortion. Republican state Rep. Michael Lemelin made these comments while discussing a proposal for a new “shield bill” to protect out-of-state patients seeking abortion or gender-affirming care in Maine. Lemelin referred to abortion as “murder” and linked the implementation of another abortion access bill on Oct. 25 to the mass shooting incident on the same day at a bowling alley and restaurant, where 18 people were killed. He claimed that the passing of the law was telling God that life doesn’t matter, leading to consequences.
Another Republican lawmaker, state Rep. Shelley Rudnicki, expressed agreement with Lemelin’s statements. Both lawmakers were officially censured by the House on Thursday, and they subsequently issued apologies on the chamber floor for their remarks. The comments sparked immediate bipartisan backlash from other members of Maine’s Democrat-led House of Representatives. State Rep. Rachel Henderson, a Republican, denounced Lemelin’s comments as “reprehensible” and apologized on behalf of the party for the lack of empathy shown towards the shooting victims and their families.
State House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross sent letters to both lawmakers condemning their remarks as extremely offensive and harmful to the victims and families of the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. She instructed them to issue formal apologies on the House floor, taking full responsibility for their behavior and publicly expressing remorse to various groups affected by the incident. Talbot Ross announced that a censure motion would be put to a vote in the House, and both lawmakers would be barred from speaking on the chamber floor or voting until they complied with the apology requirement. The House’s decision to censure the two Republicans was considered as a rare occurrence in Maine politics.
The censure process required a two-thirds vote of the chamber, with the Democrats holding an 80-68 majority. State House Democrats shared their disapproval of the baseless and incendiary remarks made by Lemelin and Rudnicki, emphasizing the need to maintain respect and empathy towards the victims of the mass shooting in Lewiston. Assistant Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier issued a statement condemning the lawmakers’ comments and affirming the importance of upholding dignity and compassion in political discourse. The incident highlighted the divisions and tensions surrounding the issue of abortion rights and the role of religion in legislative debates within the Maine House of Representatives.
Following the censure, the Republican lawmakers faced consequences for their controversial remarks, serving as a reminder of the importance of respectful and sensitive communication in public discourse. The episode raised questions about the intersection of personal beliefs, political ideologies, and legislating on contentious topics such as abortion. The state’s political leaders and representatives were called upon to uphold the values of civility, empathy, and responsible governance in addressing divisive issues and responding to tragic events in a manner that honors the dignity of all individuals affected. Ultimately, the incident served as a cautionary tale about the power of words and the need for elected officials to exercise prudence and compassion in their public statements.
