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Paul R. LePageAmerican politician
Date of Birth: 09.10.1948
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Paul LePage: A Journey from Homelessness to the Governor's Mansion
- Homelessness and Struggle
- Education and Business Accomplishments
- Political Career
- Governor of Maine
- Personal Life
- Trip to Russia
Paul LePage: A Journey from Homelessness to the Governor's Mansion
Early Life and FamilyPaul LePage, the 74th and current governor of Maine, was born in Lewiston, Maine. The eldest of 18 children born to Thérèse (née Gagnon) and Gerard LePage, his family hailed from French Canadian heritage and spoke French at home. Despite his father's employment as a factory worker, the family struggled financially. Paul's father had a drinking problem and physically abused the children, while his mother, despite her love for her sons, was too frightened to intervene.
Homelessness and Struggle
At age 11, after being severely beaten by his father, Paul ran away from home and lived on the streets of Lewiston for nearly two years. To support himself, he worked odd jobs as a shoeshine boy and dishwasher. Later, he found employment in a rubber factory, meatpacking facility, fast-food restaurant, and bar.
Education and Business Accomplishments
Paul initially struggled with his SATs due to his limited English proficiency. However, with the help of Peter Snow, the first husband of U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, he was allowed to take the exam in French, demonstrating his academic abilities. Paul excelled in college, becoming the editor of the school newspaper. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in finance and accounting from Husson College and later obtained an MBA from the University of Maine. From 1972 to 1979, Paul worked in the forestry industry in New Brunswick, Canada, and later at Scott Paper Company in Maine. Several years later, he founded his own consulting firm, LePage & Kasevich Inc. In 1996, he became the general manager of Marden's Surplus and Salvage, a discount store chain in Maine.
Political Career
Mayor of WatervilleBefore becoming mayor of Waterville in 2003, Paul served two terms on the city council. During his tenure as mayor, he reorganized the mayor's office, lowered taxes, and increased the city's rainy day fund from $1 million to $10 million. Paul resigned in January 2011.
Governor of Maine
In 2009, Paul announced his candidacy for governor of Maine as a Republican. He won the primary with 38% of the vote. In the general election, he faced Democratic state Senator Libby Mitchell as well as independent candidates Eliot Cutler, Shawn Moody, and Kevin Scott. Paul emerged victorious with 38.1% of the vote, while Cutler came in second with 36.7% and Mitchell finished third with 19%.
Personal Life
Paul is married to Ann LePage and has four children, two of whom from a previous marriage live in Canada. Since 2002, he has been the legal guardian of Devon Raymond Jr., a young man from Jamaica (born 1985) whom Paul met through his father, who served as Paul's golf caddy.
Trip to Russia
In 2004, Paul visited Russia on a business trip. As mayor of Waterville, he led an American delegation to establish a sister city relationship between Waterville and Kotlas in the Arkhangelsk Oblast.
