Aaron Carroll

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 21
Age: 39
Occupation: Farmer/Forester
Education: B.S. Forestry-University of New Hampshire
Family: Married Katherine Carroll, Children Andrew 12, Charlie 10
Hometown: Limerick

Political experience

I have served on the Limerick Planning Board for many years and I am currently the chairman.

Why are you running for office?

Growing up I was fortunate to family that was active in Local and State politics. My grandfather George A. Carroll served 14 years in the Legislature. I have always wanted to serve the hardworking people of Limerick and the surrounding towns and Maine as a Representative to the Legislature as my grandfather did before me. I also believe that we are at a pivotal point in state and national politics and need members of our legislative branch to be able to compromise for the good of our state. I believe my background as an owner of a small family farm has prepared me to serve as a member of the Maine State Legislature.

• Income Tax: Gov. LePage would like to lower Maine’s income tax rate and eventually eliminate it, by increasing the state’s sales tax and expanding it across a broader range of goods and services. Do you support this proposal?
  • Other

    I support the concept of lowering income taxes. However, I believe it to be the fairest method given our present system. I also believe that as we increase the cost of goods and services we decrease the demand for these. Lastly, I am very concerned about how this will affect those who live on a fixed income.

• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • No
• Minimum Wage: In light of the ballot question facing voters this fall, do you support raising the state’s minimum wage from $7.50 to $12 an hour by 2020?
  • Other

    As a small business owner, I am concerned with the many consequences of this ballot initiative. I feel that raising the minimum wage will only increase the prices of the goods and services and force companies to move to automated processes and will no longer require a person. This can be already be seen in large grocery and retail stores.
    This question also may have unintended consequences for tipped workers which may lead to fewer people tipping.
    Lastly, I believe it is important for businesses to be able to plan and budget for the future and the minimum wage should not move based upon the Consumer Price Index or some other arbitrary number.

• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • No
• Addiction/Overdoses: Do you believe the state is doing enough in response to the rise in heroin/opiate addiction and overdoses? If not, what else should be done?
  • I believe that this is a very complex problem that will certainly need to be further addressed in the next 2 years.