James Bourque

Republican

Office Sought: Representative – District 35
Age: 69
Occupation: Retired
Education: Bachelor’s Degree Mechanical Engineering
Family: Married, five children, four grandchildren
Hometown: Westbrook

Political experience

None

Why are you running for office?

Cut taxes for businesses and families, lower electricity bills, support welfare reforms that help achieve independence.

• 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?
  • Yes. I think it would be a great trend to attract people to Maine.
• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • No. Referendum # 3 reaches too far by including firearm transfers. It would require a background check to lend a hunting rifle to a friend and another check when the rifle is returned.
• 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?
  • No. I feel it would lead to fewer jobs. If the price of something is increased there will be less demand and sales will drop. If the price of labor increases it will cause a corresponding drop in the demand for labor.
• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • No. I do not feel the science for evaluating impairment has caught up with the trend of increased recreational use.
• 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, I would like to see programs that are results driven. I think the root causes, whatever they are, need to be identified and addressed. Recent legislation to limit the prescribing of opioids is a step in the right direction, as those addicted to prescription pain killers are far more likely to use heroin.