Maine Gov. Paul LePage Not Resigning Over Voicemail Rant

LePage and Rep. Drew Gattine met for less than 10 minutes this morning.

ByABC News
August 31, 2016, 11:33 AM

— -- Facing pressure to resign after comments many called racist and a profanity-laced voicemail left for Democratic Rep. Drew Gattine, Maine Gov. Paul LePage told reporters today he will not be resigning and will be seeking spiritual guidance.

“We always have been a family of faith and we recognize that the grace and guidance from God can make us stronger in life,” LePage said in a statement following a meeting with Gattine.

LePage and Gattine met for less than 10 minutes this morning at the governor's office, in an attempt for the governor to make amends.

“To the Maine people, today, I am asking for forgiveness. Comments I have expressed recently are unacceptable and I apologize sincerely for using such disrespectful language as your Governor,” LePage said in the statement. “Also, I would like to express an apology to the Gattine family. I understand how hurtful statements affect a family and regret that my words have adversely upset your lives. For this I am sorry.”

Gattine spoke to reporters directly after the meeting, confirming that the governor did apologize, but said he doesn’t believe the state can move forward with the current governor.

“We need functioning government, we need a governor who can work with us every day to try and solve these problems and I’m concerned that we can’t go ahead for the next two years and continue to be in the constant cycle,” Gattine said.

When pressed by ABC News regarding whether he still believes after the meeting that LePage should resign, Gattine said, “I would like to see a different governor.”

Legislatively, majorities of each caucus would need to agree to come back for a special session to take any additional action against the governor. House Republicans met last night and decided to stand by LePage.

In the voicemail released by the Maine State House Majority Office last week, LePage could be heard saying that he wanted Gattine to "prove" that he was a racist.

"Mr. Gattine, this is Gov. Paul Richard LePage. I would like to talk to you about your comments about my being a racist.... I want you to prove that I'm a racist. I've spent my life helping black people and you little son of a ---- socialist ... I want you to record this and make it public because I'm after you. Thank you."

ABC News' Enjoli Francis contributed to this report.