Maine’s 2nd Congressional District primary race took a sharp turn Thursday when Democratic candidate Matt Dunlap held a press conference to release property documents suggesting that Ann LePage, wife of former Republican Governor Paul LePage, claimed a Florida homestead property tax exemption every year from 2018 through 2025 — a benefit legally reserved for a property owner’s permanent residence.
Why It Matters
The question of where a candidate or their family maintains permanent legal residence carries both political and practical weight. Property tax exemptions tied to primary residency are a matter of public record and legal certification. For a congressional race in Maine’s sprawling 2nd District, questions about where a candidate’s roots are planted could influence how voters assess their commitment to the region.
What Happened
Dunlap presented a set of documents at Thursday’s press conference related to the LePage family’s property in Florida. According to those records, Ann LePage filed for and received a $50,000 annual homestead exemption in Flagler County, Florida, each year from 2018 to 2025. Under Florida law, that exemption is available only when the property serves as the owner’s permanent residence or the permanent residence of a legal dependent.
The property documents show Ann LePage holds title to the Florida home as sole owner on the warranty deed, while both Paul and Ann LePage are listed as borrowers on the associated mortgage. A separate filing transferred Paul LePage’s power of attorney to Ann LePage for the purposes of the Florida property purchase.
Dunlap argued that this pattern over eight years suggests Paul LePage has been representing to Florida authorities that he does not reside in Maine — a claim the campaign disputed.
LePage spokesman Brent Littlefield pushed back firmly, saying Paul and Ann LePage “are Mainers, are Maine residents,” and pointing to LePage’s record as governor. The campaign maintained the couple does not hold a homestead exemption on any property outside of Maine, and noted that Ann LePage filed paperwork with Flagler County indicating they do not qualify for the exemption.
Added Complexity: Residency and Family Circumstances
The situation carries some nuance. A previous homestead exemption dispute emerged in 2010, when Ann LePage was investigated for simultaneously claiming the benefit in both Maine and Florida. That inquiry ended without a finding of wrongdoing. At the time, documentation indicated Ann LePage was caring for her mother at the Florida property, with her mother listed as a dependent on LePage family tax filings — a circumstance that can satisfy Florida’s exemption requirements.
Additionally, Paul LePage’s current Maine address is listed as an Augusta apartment owned by a Delaware-registered limited liability company. Public records link that LLC to Shawn Moody, who ran as the Republican candidate for governor in 2018. The LePage family also owns separate property in Washington County, held jointly with adult children.
By the Numbers
- $50,000 — annual value of the Florida homestead exemption claimed by Ann LePage
- 2018–2025 — the eight-year span during which the exemption appears in county records
- 2010 — year of an earlier investigation into the same type of dual-exemption claim, which was resolved without penalty
Zoom Out
Residency disputes are not unusual in competitive congressional primaries, particularly when a candidate has spent time living or working across multiple states. Florida’s homestead exemption — one of the more generous in the country — has generated legal scrutiny for other public figures over the years, given that it requires formal certification of primary residency and offers significant financial benefit.
What’s Next
Dunlap framed the issue as one of accountability, saying Maine voters deserve a representative “whose feet are actually on the ground here, whose property taxes paid for our schools, our roads, our first responders.” The LePage campaign’s denial and Ann LePage’s reported filing with Flagler County suggest the dispute is likely to be contested further as the primary progresses.
Whether the records Dunlap released prompt any formal inquiry by Florida county authorities, or simply remain a political flashpoint in the race, remains to be seen as Maine’s 2nd District voters head toward the primary.