SACO — Students in Devin Beliveau’s government class had the opportunity to talk to a lawmaker first hand on Tuesday.

The class of Thornton Academy seniors video-chatted with U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, over Skype during their morning class, and each student was prepared with a question to ask the senator.

King and the students covered a variety of topics, including life as a U.S. senator, introducing new bills, and his views on gun control and the legalization of marijuana.

Student Ian Carrier asked about an average day as a U.S. senator.

“There’s no average day,” said King, who was calling in from Washington, D.C. “Every day is different.”

King said a day often entails hearings and meetings, including meetings with constituents. Typically, he begins around 7:30 or 8 a.m., he said, and the day before, he worked until midnight due to a Senate hearing on climate change.

King said the job requires working many long, intense days, but the variety makes it interesting.

Student Josh Brages asked King why he chose to run as an independent.

King said Congress was so partisan and divided that he thought he could help as an independent, as a kind of bridge between the two parties.

“I call them how I see them,” said King. “My experience here, Josh, is neither party has a monopoly on the truth.”

King said it was “a great luxury” to be an independent, as he could make his own decisions and didn’t have to go in the direction of either party.

King also spoke about juggling family life with the demands of being a senator, and his thoughts on the budget. He said he thought it was important for the country to invest in infrastructure and pre-school programs. He said pre-school and early education programs give kids “a running start in education” and have a big payoff, as they help students lead a successful life later on.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.