Maine Republican anti-vaxxer and anti-masker resigned his political post after his wife died of Covid-19.

GOP lawmaker cites wife’s COVID-19 death in resigning Aroostook County seat (Bangor Daily News, yesterday)

An Aroostook County lawmaker resigned from the Legislature earlier this month, citing a need to focus on his farm after his wife died of COVID-19 this summer.

Rep. Chris Johansen’s resignation was effective Nov. 19, according to a letter to Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, on that day. The Monticello Republican said he was able to serve because his wife, Cindy Johansen, was dedicated to their farm before her August death.

“This is a difficult decision to make, as I feel there is still much to be done to roll back the expansion of state power that we have witnessed these past two years,” Johansen wrote. “But I must honor my obligations to my family and my animals.”

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