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Calls Grow for Willette to Resign in Wake of Facebook Posts

A.J. Higgins
/
MPBN
Sen. Michael Willette

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine Democrats are calling for Republican state Sen. Michael Willette of Aroostook County to resign over a Facebook post he made suggesting that President Barack Obama's family members are part of the terrorist Islamic State group.

"He really is not fit to serve," says Maine Democratic Party Chair Phil Bartlett. Bartlett says Willette has a history of making bigoted and racist remarks online, and the latest post is just part of a trend. "This reflects potentially core beliefs that really pull at the fabric of our community."

The Maine Republican Party says it condemns, and disagrees with, Willette's posts and appreciates his apology. Senate Democratic Leader Justin Alfond says whether Willette remains in his post is a decision that should be left up to his constituents.

Meanwhile, the Portland-based chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is joining the call for Willette to be held accountable. An investigation by blogger Mike Tipping at the Bangor Daily News has turned up many similar posts by Willette dating back several months.

Willette apologized in a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday morning, asking colleagues for their forgiveness and saying his "mistake in judgment won't be repeated."  

"I think many of us can identify with the temptation to not listen to our better angels and to instead lash out publicly against those with whom we disagree," Willette said. "As a state legislator I am held to a higher standard.  We all are.  And we need to show restraint, especially myself in this instance."

Rachel Talbot Ross of the Portland Chapter of the NAACP is asking the Republican Senate President to investigate whether any ethical violations have occurred and to "release" Willette from his role as chair of the State and Local Government Committee of the Maine Legislature.

"While he has issued an apology," Talbot Ross wrote, "we do not believe it is enough to interrupt the xenophobic narrative that he has helped to perpetuate...It is also not enough for you and members of the Republican Party to issue a statement that merely condemns this ideology."

Willette says he has no intention of resigning.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story indicated that the Portland Chapter of the NAACP had called on Sen. Willette to resign. The group asked that Willette be released from his role as chair of the Legislature's State and Local Government Committee, not that he resign. It was an editor's error.