Chris Johansen

COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, Johansen was an outspoken opponent of state-mandated public health precautions taken in Maine to reduce the spread of COVID-19.^[4][5] In April 2020 he organized two protests in the State Capitol against statewide business shutdowns, acknowledging the virus was public health threat but arguing restrictions should be relaxed in rural areas^[6][7] and calling for a limited reopening of the state's economy.^[8] He later joined a group of House lawmakers who refused to wear face masks in the Maine State House despite being required by House leadership to do so. A staged confrontation between these lawmakers and Capitol police drew media attention and lead to the representatives being stripped of their committee assignments for a period of time.^[4][9][10]

In late July 2021, both Johansen and his wife, Cindy, became ill with COVID-19.^{[4][11][12][5]} Cindy was admitted to the hospital, and died on August 11.^[2][13] A week following her death, Johansen attended a rally in opposition to vaccine mandates for healthcare workers at the Maine State House.^[13][14][15] He later wrote his wife was reluctant to be vaccinated due to "the conflicting information we have been getting from day one."^[13]

On November 19, 2021, Johansen sent a letter to House Speaker Ryan Fecteau announcing his resignation, citing a need to tend to the family farm following his wife's death.^[16]