Maine lawmaker allegedly choked woman when confronted about affair

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TTY 1-800-437-1220. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.
A Republican lawmaker allegedly choked his partner Friday after she confronted him about an affair.
Lucas Lanigan, 45, of Springvale faces a charge of domestic violence aggravated assault, Sanford police Maj. Mark Dyer said Monday.
A copy of a police affidavit shared with the Bangor Daily News on Tuesday reveals new details about what led to the charge against Lanigan.
On Friday, Lanigan’s partner confronted him and another woman at Springvale Safe Storage on River Street about an affair around 12:45 p.m., according to the affidavit signed by Sanford police Sgt. Jeremy Riddle.
An argument ensued, during which Lanigan allegedly put his hands around his partner’s throat and “choked her for approximately 20 seconds,” Riddle wrote.
She freed herself and returned home, where she called friends, who then reported the alleged assault to police about 3:03 p.m., according to the affidavit. The BDN does not name alleged victims of violent crimes without their consent.
She was then taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where an examination found bruising around her neck, as well as small marks on her face and nose and in her mouth consistent with bleeding under the skin, according to the affidavit.
Riddle attempted unsuccessfully to reach Lanigan on Friday, and a warrant for his arrest was issued over the weekend. Lanigan later told CBS 13 that he was away on a business trip for the weekend. He turned himself in at the York County Jail at 9:30 a.m. Monday, according to Dyer.
Lanigan did not immediately respond to a call, text and email seeking comment Tuesday morning.
He represents House District 141, which includes part of Springvale, part of Sanford, Newfield and Shapleigh, in the Legislature. He sits on the Legislature’s Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee.
Before joining the Legislature, he served on the Sanford City Council from 2016 to 2021, and had a stint as the city’s deputy mayor. Lanigan is currently running for reelection against Democrat Patricia Kidder.
Kidder said Tuesday if Lanigan is found guilty, she does not believe he “has any business making laws that affect anyone, especially women.”“I believe the victim,” Kidder said.
House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, told the BDN on Tuesday he  “trust[s] our justice system and remain[s] confident that our justice system is the best in the world and that it will be resolved there.”
Several Maine Democrats called for Lanigan to resign Tuesday. Maine Democratic Party Chair Bev Uhlenhake said in a statement the alleged actions “are incredibly disturbing and are disqualifying for any elected official or individual seeking public office.”
House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, said in a statement that Lanigan no longer has the “ethical or moral standing necessary to serve in the Maine House of Representatives.”
“Serving the public demands integrity and accountability — values that Rep. Lanigan has violated. For the good of our state and his constituents, I am calling for his immediate resignation. And I request that all leaders join me in standing up strongly against domestic violence and calling for Rep. Lanigan to submit his official resignation,” Talbot Ross said.
BDN writer Billy Kobin contributed to this report.