AUGUSTA — A donor to Republican Gov. Paul LePage has been chosen by the state to develop and lease new state health department offices.

Eric Cianchette’s company, ELC Management, was chosen among four bidders to build new Department of Health and Human Services offices in South Portland after the current offices’ lease in Portland expires next year. The company tallied the highest score under criteria set by the Bureau of General Services that examined things like location, cost and other factors.

The Portland Press Herald reported that Cianchette donated $3,000 to LePage’s re-election committee in 2012 and $1,500 to LePage in 2010, the maximum amount an individual can contribute, according to state ethics commission reports. He also gave $10,000 to Maine’s Republican Party in 2011

Cianchette didn’t return calls seeking comment.

The three other bidders said they don’t believe that Cianchette’s donations or politics had any impact on his company’s selection.

“The state has a right to decide what they think is best,” said Kevin Bunker of Developers Collaborative, who gave two donations to LePage’s campaign totaling $300.

Some DHHS clients and other developers say the new location in South Portland, which will also house Department of Labor offices, will be tougher for patients to get to. A developer who appealed the decision said the new offices would be far from bus stops.

The state is expected to negotiate a final agreement on the building with Cianchette’s company by Dec. 15.

Copy the Story Link