Maine GOP Congressional Candidate Compares Lobster Regulations To Child Rape

At a lobster business rally Wednesday in Portland, a Republican candidate for Maine’s 1st Congressional District in contrast federal guidelines aimed toward defending the endangered proper whale to intercourse crimes towards youngsters.

“NOAA desires to rape you and your loved ones, they usually’re saying ‘choose a baby,’” mentioned GOP hopeful Ed Thelander, referring to the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “You don’t negotiate with a rapist, and that’s what’s taking place.”

A clip of Thelander’s feedback, posted to Twitter by the Maine Democratic Social gathering, reveals a small crowd react with complete silence. A person holding a yellow signal studying “Don’t Tread on ME Lobster” visibly cringes on the candidate’s comment.

The Maine Democratic Social gathering condemned Thelander’s comparability as “disgusting and unproductive.”

“Feedback like these present he’s unfit for workplace,” the occasion wrote.

Thelander, a former Navy SEAL, is vying to unseat Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree. The 2 candidates are set to debate for the primary time Wednesday evening.

Thelander’s marketing campaign didn’t instantly reply to HuffPost’s request for remark.

The Portland rally was held to protest what organizers described as “devastating guidelines and rules on Maine’s lobster business” and to name on the state’s lawyer basic to sue NOAA. Amongst different issues, the company is planning to restrict to the variety of vertical lobster strains in Maine waters and implement new seasonal zone restrictions in an effort to guard proper whales, whose populations have plummeted in latest a long time.

The problem has been entrance and heart all through Maine within the run-up to November’s midterm elections.

This text initially appeared on HuffPost and has been up to date.