LEWISTON – People in this central Maine city take politics seriously, but it’s not often that political differences lead to violence.

That may have been the case last weekend when a fracas that followed the Androscoggin County Republican caucus resulted in a charge of assault.

Police issued a summons for Bruce Boutilier, 40, of Auburn, who was accused of taking a swat at Georgia Chomas, a 61-year-old cousin of U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe.

Boutilier, a former professional fighter who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds, was allegedly attempting to knock a phone out of Chomas’ hands as she tried to call police.

The incident took place Saturday after most participants had left the Lewiston Multi-Purpose Center, leaving a small group that engaged in a heated argument.

Witnesses said Boutilier and another man began arguing with Chomas about political matters as people were leaving the center.

“There were some pretty nasty words being said. I just kept trying to calm it down, calm it down,” said Stavros Mendros, a Lewiston city councilor. “The way it developed and exploded just made no sense.”

Mendros said it was later revealed that Boutilier was a Democrat.