Deane Rykerson

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 1
Age: 65
Occupation: Architect
Education: MArch Harvard University
Family: Married with 3 children
Hometown: Kittery Point

Political experience

Architectural leadership, town committees, two terms as Maine State Representative.

Why are you running for office?

I see the tremendous potential of our state and its people but a lack of leadership to reach this potential. We need to protect our environment and we need healthy, educated, and working Mainers to bring our state into an innovative clean energy future.

• 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?
  • No

    We need the wealthy, large corporate tax dodgers, and companies who use oversea havens to pay their fair share of taxes. The middle and working classes need a livable wage.

• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • Yes

    Gun safety for our citizens.

• 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?
  • Yes

    Nobody should work full time and still live in poverty.

• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • Yes
• 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?
  • No, we need more treatment and recovery for addicts.