FARMINGTON — The Franklin County district attorney will not pursue criminal charges against a Republican Party activist and conservative columnist from Wilton who was arrested in July on a charge of domestic assault.

Lawrence E. Dwight Jr., 53, known locally as “J” Dwight, was arrested at his home July 16 after an incident allegedly involving his wife, according to published reports.

Citing insufficient evidence in the case, Assistant Franklin County District Attorney James Andrews, who was handling the case, said Thursday that charges will not be brought.

Dwight is a former member of the state Legislature’s Economic Forecasting Commission and sits on the board of advisers for the Maine Heritage Policy Center, a conservative think tank.

He also is a contributor to the state Republican Party and his investment firm donated money to the political action committee established to elect LePage, according to published reports.

Dwight pleaded not guilty to the charge July 21. He told the Lewiston Sun-Journal, for whom he has written a conservative column, that the incident was “a complete mistake” and that he expected to be exonerated.

Kevin Joyce, a Farmington attorney who represented Dwight, said Thursday that evidence in the case did not support criminal charges. Joyce said Dwight hopes to resume his duties with the economic forecasting commission.

Dwight did not return a call for comment.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

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