Kimberly Sampson

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Senator – District 20
Age: 37
Occupation: Independant Dental Hygiene Practitioner
Education: Maine School of Law (J.D. 2015), University of Southern Maine (Bachelors in Communication, 2012), University of New England (Three Year Associates in Dental Hygiene, 2003)
Family: Single
Hometown: Auburn

Political experience

I’m not a career politician, but prior to law school I was the executive director of a non-profit that provided dental care to underprivileged children domestically and abroad. I’ve worked on several campaigns and my mother, Sonya Sampson is a former state representative in Auburn. My thesis, “National Security and the Affordable Care Act” was used in the 2014 gubernatorial debates. During law school I was a public policy extern for the Maine Medical Association. In that capacity, I presented testimony, followed bills through their passage, and advocated for nearly 5,000 Maine physicians, surgeons, and medical students.

Why are you running for office?

Maine is a great place to be, but it can be a hard place to make a living. As a result, many of our young adults are leaving the state. We need to change that. I’m thrilled to see the progress that organizations such as Maine & Co, Maine Startup & Create Week, and Maine Accelerates Growth have done. These groups are bringing fantastic jobs to Maine, but it’s just a start. Let’s build on the positive energy and continue to keep moving Maine forward. To do this, let’s ensure our infrastructure is up to par. We have 44,000 miles of roads, bridges, and rail that need to be well maintained. I’m running for all of those reasons, but also because I want to advocate for my patients. On current facts, half of those serving on the Health and Human Services Committee have never treated a patient, tried to get reimbursed from insurance companies, or witnessed the struggles many in Maine are experiencing. As a result, poor decisions are being made. We can and we must do better.

• 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 reducing the income tax. We should make up the revenue difference by increasing our sales tax and expanding it across a broader range of services.

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

    I join the Maine Chiefs of Police Association in support of Question Three. I come from a family of hunters and I do believe in the Second Amendment. However, I oppose reckless use and believe in responsible gun ownership. We need to close the gun show loop hole, prevent terrorist from accessing guns, curb gun trafficking, and ensure that the severely mentally ill don’t have access to guns. In addition, we need to further address our domestic abuse crisis. One in three women and one in four men are victims of domestic violence. Let’s work together to reduce gun violence and develop common sense solutions.

• 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

    Half of minimum wage workers are women over the age of 35; many are single moms. Individuals working 40 hours a week, shouldn’t be living in poverty. In turn, these individuals are forced to rely on a social net. Studies show that when we raise the minimum wage and place it into the hands of a breadwinner, the breadwinner will in turn spend the money within the community. As a result, the local economy improves. This referendum question is a win-win for Maine. If one is serious about welfare reform, they will support raising the minimum wage so that working people can lift themselves out of poverty.

• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • Yes

    I support the legitimate use of medical marijuana and have an open mind, but have not had all of my concerns addressed. I worry about the impact that legalizing marijuana will have on our children at a time when the Opioid epidemic is already draining state resources.

• 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, and I suggest the following: (1) We need to develop a comprehensive, balanced approach that includes: enforcement, education, and treatment. We can not arrest our way out of addiction. (2) Accept Federal Affordable Care funds. Maine hospitals expect to loose $900 million over ten years. Maine is one of three states that does not have a local or county public health system. Accessing ACA funds is a foundational element in securing our public health infrastructure. We know that when preventative measures are not in place, more costly treatment awaits. With ACA funds, clinicians will be enabled to be preemptive in their care and diagnosis of many conditions, such as: addiction, obesity, and cancer. (3) The 119th Legislature created the Fund For Healthy Maine (“Healthy Maine”). Healthy Maine was financed through the Tobacco Settlement Money; not tax dollars. Nevertheless, the Fund For Healthy Maine is funded at less than half the recommended levels. The underinvestment in the Fund For Healthy Maine has thwarted our response to various public health issues, including the drug epidemic. Let’s ensure that the Fund For Healthy Maine is being used as it was intended.