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Embattled candidate drops out of race after 'skinhead lesbian' comments

Gibson called Emma Gonzalez, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivor, 'a skinhead lesbian' and 'a bald-faced liar.'

NEWS CENTER Maine has confirmed Republican Leslie Gibson is dropping out of the race for House District 57.

Gibson made national headlines after calling Emma Gonzalez, a survivor of the Parkland High School shootings in Florida, a “skinhead lesbian.”

Another survivor of the shootings, David Hogg, brought attention to the race when he asked Mainers to find somebody to run against Gibson who was running unopposed for the seat. Democrat Eryn Gilchrist collected enough signatures to get her name on the ballot by Thursday’s 5:00 pm deadline. She is 28 years old and lives in Greene. The Maine Republican Party announced another candidate, Thomas Martin of Greene, had also stepped up to run against Gibson in the primary.

► RELATED | Maine candidate calls Parkland student a 'skinhead lesbian'

When Gonzalez found out Gilchrist had entered the race, she reacted on Twitter saying, “Eryn, all I can is thank you.

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