Maine’s LePage names himself ed chief to avoid political ‘games’

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage figured Democrats would shoot down his choice for education commissioner, so he withdrew the nomination. And on Thursday, he named himself to lead the department instead. The famously pugnacious Republican governor made the announcement Thursday at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast that he planned to circumvent confirmation hearings amid an ongoing feud with the Legislature, most recently a recent spat over accommodations for transgender students.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage figured Democrats would shoot down his choice for education commissioner, so he withdrew the nomination. And on Thursday, he named himself to lead the department instead. The famously pugnacious Republican governor made the announcement Thursday at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast that he planned to circumvent confirmation hearings amid an ongoing feud with the Legislature, most recently a recent spat over accommodations for transgender students.…