SACO — Two state representatives are vying for the Democratic slot to run for the District 31 senate seat currently

held by Linda Valentino, D-Saco, who is retiring from politics after her term ends this year.

Senate District 31 includes Hollis, Limington, Old Orchard Beach, Saco and part of Buxton.

Barry Hobbins, state representative for House District 14, and Justin Chenette, state representative for House District 15, will face off in the June 14 primary. Whoever wins will go up against Republican William Gombar of Old Orchard Beach in the November election; Gombar is uncontested for the Republican nomination.

Chenette, 25, of Saco, is married and is a digital advertising executive with the Journal Tribune. He also owns Chenette Media LLC and is president/CEO of the Saco Bay Center for Civic Engagement.

Chenette has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and an associate’s degree in TV news from Lyndon State College. He has served as a state representative since 2012, and previously served on the Maine Board of Education in 2008-09.

“It’s time for a new generation of leadership that’s committed to reforming state government to work better for us, redefine community leadership through action, and strengthen a long-term commitment to make Maine’s future bright,” said Chenette. “We have an opportunity on June 14th to hit the reset button at the State House and expect more from our elected officials than just continuing the status quo. I hope to continue Sen. Valentino’s legacy of bringing people together and working hard for our community.”

Hobbins, 65, of Saco, is married with three adult children. He is a practicing attorney and a graduate of the University of Maine Orono and Franklin Pierce Law Center.

Hobbins has been state representative of District 14 since 2012, and previously served as state representative from 1972 to 1984. He also served in the state senate from 1988 to 1990, and again from 2004 to 2012.

“Early on, my father Ray Hobbins instilled in me an ethic, which was to ‘give back’ to the community by practicing civic involvement,” said Hobbins. “I don’t call attention to my accomplishments, and I don’t even know how to take a ‘selfie,’ but I know that my civic involvement and results grow more effective every year, and their results help people more every day.

“Service is my life’s work, whether in my family, my law practice, my civic engagement, or my political responsibilities – and that service gives me deep intrinsic reward, knowing that it helps improve people’s lives.”

Chenette said one of his top issues if elected will be to raise the minimum wage to a living wage. He said this makes sense not only for household incomes, but for the economy to grow.

Overall wages have not increased based on inflation or at the same level as the increasing cost of goods and services, he said. At the same time, corporate profits and CEO bonuses have skyrocketed with the increase in productivity of our hardworking Maine workforce, said Chenette.

Hobbins said his first priority if elected will be to advocate for his constituents, because Augusta rewards those legislative districts that are well-represented, and penalizes those that are not. He said District 31 has unique needs, including schools, transportation, health care and public safety.

“There are hundreds of good people serving as legislators in Augusta, but I humbly submit that none of them can outwork or outsmart me when it comes to advocating for my folks at home,” said Hobbins.

One of Chenette’s other top priorities is increasing affordable housing for seniors. He said those who have worked hard all their lives shouldn’t have to worry about a roof over their heads. Easing student loan debt is also on his agenda should he be elected to District 31.

“Student loan debt is crippling my generation’s ability to buy homes, get out of low wage jobs, start a family and other important milestones,” said Chenette.

Solving this issue can be achieved by common-sense approaches to tax credits on student loan debt and restructuring the college system to be more competitive at a lower price, he said.

Hobbins said he is drafting legislation that will maximize Maine’s effectiveness in using MaineCare funding in a manner that leverages federal money to implement effective local solutions to the opiate crisis. This is important to all five towns in the senate district, as well as the entire state, he said.

Hobbins said his two areas of intense focus have always been clean energy and social justice. As long as he holds political office, he said, he will represent and focus on the people, and he added that he feels more strongly than ever about standing up for the powerless, the less fortunate and the vulnerable.

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