Maine Dems Slam Austin Theriault for Anti-Choice Stance and Hypocrisy on Gun Rights

Photo byAustin Theriault for Congress

Maine Democrats criticize Austin Theriault for wasting law enforcement resources on lawful gun owners while pushing anti-choice policies. Hypocrisy or just bad judgment?

Maine Dems Blast Austin Theriault’s ‘Weird Overreach’ and Hypocrisy

The Maine Democratic Party has called out Republican State Representative Austin Theriault for his attempts to control the lives of law-abiding Mainers, labeling his actions as a "weird overreach" that voters will reject on November 5. In a scathing statement, Maine Democrats highlighted Theriault’s contradictory actions, including wasting law enforcement resources and taxpayer money by reporting legal behavior and pushing a restrictive anti-choice agenda.

"Mainers shouldn’t have to look over our shoulders to see if the local lawmaker approves of decisions we make for ourselves and our families at home, in our bedrooms, or in our exam rooms," the statement read. The Democrats characterized Theriault as an "anti-choice hypocrite" who speaks one way but acts another, urging Mainers to keep "aimless Austin" out of Congress.

Austin Theriault Calls Cops on Lawful Gun Owner Despite Championing Gun Rights

Theriault, who is running to unseat Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, has positioned himself as a staunch defender of the Second Amendment. However, Theriault’s own actions have raised eyebrows after it was revealed that he called the Aroostook County sheriff’s office to report a man legally carrying what appeared to be an AR-15 rifle on his own porch.

Records obtained by HuffPost show that on the evening of January 10, 2023, Theriault contacted local law enforcement expressing concern about a man he saw with the rifle while entering his home. Although Theriault could not provide an exact address, he insisted on notifying the police "in case the man fired shots." The incident, however, did not escalate, and no shots were fired.

An officer responding to Theriault’s call noted that the state representative had made multiple suspicious complaints to police in the past, none of which had involved criminal conduct. The report concluded without further action, highlighting the apparent disconnect between Theriault’s public pro-gun stance and his private discomfort with lawful gun ownership.

Democrats Point to Theriault’s Hypocrisy

Maine Democrats were quick to pounce on Theriault’s apparent hypocrisy, particularly given his attacks on Rep. Jared Golden for supporting an assault weapons ban following a tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, last year. Golden's stance, which followed the murder of 18 people by a man wielding an assault-style rifle, reflects a growing concern over gun violence in the state.

Maine Senate President Troy Jackson criticized Theriault’s actions, suggesting that they reveal a lack of understanding of local culture and gun laws. "It’s northern Maine, and there’s a whole bunch of reasons why you may be sitting on your porch with a rifle," Jackson said. He argued that calling the police on a lawful gun owner in a state with a strong hunting tradition is not only unnecessary but also goes against the values Theriault claims to uphold.

A Pattern of Contradictions: Anti-Choice and Anti-Health Funding Votes

The Maine Democratic Party also highlighted Theriault’s inconsistency on issues beyond gun rights, accusing him of being out of touch with the needs of Mainers. Despite publicly calling for increased mental health funding, Theriault voted against a budget bill that would have provided the "largest-ever" investment in mental health care. This contradiction between Theriault’s rhetoric and his voting record has fueled accusations of hypocrisy from his political opponents.

The Maine Democrats' statement suggests that Theriault’s actions are part of a broader pattern of overreach and control, particularly on issues of personal freedom and bodily autonomy. Theriault has been vocal about his anti-choice stance, seeking to impose restrictions on reproductive rights that Democrats argue are an intrusion into private medical decisions. His actions and votes have positioned him as a polarizing figure in Maine politics, with critics accusing him of prioritizing his political agenda over the freedoms of his constituents.

What’s at Stake: The Battle for Maine’s Values

As Theriault continues his campaign against Rep. Jared Golden, the race is shaping up to be a referendum on more than just party lines; it is about the core values of personal freedom, privacy, and the proper role of government. The Maine Democratic Party’s aggressive stance against Theriault reflects a broader strategy to paint him as out of touch with the independent spirit of Maine voters.

With the election looming, both parties are ramping up their efforts to sway undecided voters. For the Democrats, framing Theriault as a hypocritical and controlling figure is key to keeping him out of Congress. Whether Mainers will buy into this narrative or embrace Theriault’s message remains to be seen.

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