Sanford representative loses reelection after arrest

Chamber of the House of Representatives in the Maine State House in Augusta. Sept. 5, 2023. | Jim Neuger, Maine Morning Star

A Republican state representative for the city of Sanford lost his reelection bid for the Maine Legislature days after being arrested for domestic violence aggravated assault.

Although The Associated Press still hadn’t called the race as of Friday, the official results posted by the city of Sanford showed Democrat Patricia Kidder had 50.5% of the vote, compared to 41% for incumbent Lucas Lanigan.

While Lanigan’s lawyer, William Bly, said he thinks the late October charges were “absolutely a factor,” he said Lanigan understands that this is the will of the people and is proud of the work he was able to do in the Legislature.

Kidder did not respond to a request for comment. 

Bly also said Lanigan will not be giving any future statements about the race and instead focus on helping his family heal from the situation and let the actions and results from the court system speak for themselves. 

“He’s going to prepare for the fight of his life, which is to clear his good name in a court of law,” Bly said.

Lanigan turned himself in to the York County Jail on Oct. 28 after a warrant was out for his arrest the weekend prior.  

The day after he turned himself in, outgoing Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Rachel Talbot Ross and other leaders of the Maine Democratic Party called for Lanigan to resign and withdraw from the election. 

Lanigan was released on bail later that week and continued his reelection campaign. 

According to a police report, a Sanford police officer alleged that Lanigan strangled his wife after she confronted him and another woman about their reported infidelity.

However, during a court appearance last week, Lanigan’s wife, Catalina, called the incident a “misunderstanding” and said the case should be dropped. 

Assistant District Attorney Linda Holdsworth-Donovan said victims regularly recant or downplay their stories after the fact. The state is still pursuing charges.