A first-term legislator is facing a challenge in Maine House District 116, which covers part of Portland.

Republican Dale Holman is trying to unseat Democratic Rep. Samuel Zager.

Here is a look at the candidates’ top priorities and positions on some key issues.

DALE HOLMAN

Q: What are your top priorities and why?

Economic Development – further economic development in Portland and Maine needed as issues require significant economic resources. Without these resources all our concerns just become talking points.

Dale Holman

Helping homeless population by providing more resources that include mental health, wellness checks, and social services. With the ultimate goal helping them become independent. I believe that we should not only rely upon the Government resources/funding and we should seek additional funding from private resources for programs to fight these problems.

Keeping our community safe – foster a cohesive relationship between our communities and law enforcement agencies to find innovative solutions to curtail major crimes.

Q: What are your biggest concerns about the economy right now and what should the Legislature do to address them?

My concerns for the economy will be increased cost of living and healthcare needs while understanding that Maine’s economy relies so much on our environment, i.e.; tourism and lobster industry. We already do a great job with protecting the people of Maine and we need to continue doing this. Simultaneously, we should take a deeper dive into either existing or new legislation that will find a common ground for the people of Maine, our industries, and protecting our environment.

Q: Do you support changing Maine’s abortion law to make it more or less restrictive and how?

I agree with the current law and don’t see any need to change this law in the State of Maine.

Q: Do you believe President Biden won the 2020 election fairly?

I do believe that President Biden legitimately won the 2020 election. Future elections we should increase actual and perceived transparencies so that everyone will feel equitable of election integrity.

AT A GLANCE

City: Portland

Party: Republican

Occupation: Self-employed business owner

Education: B.A. in business administration, University of Maine at Presque Isle (Magna Cum Laude)

Civic/Political Experience: My own civic duty has been to support healthcare workers, first responders, law enforcement, educators, and the homeless by bringing them desired treats, items and goodies when in need from my own personal resources.

Website

SAMUEL ZAGER

What are your top priorities and why?

Sam Zager

Health and Safety is my principal lens because I’m a family doctor. Policy-making presents many “upstream” opportunities – such as equitable access to healthcare and toxin reduction. Climate change is a priority because it is an existential threat for our living planet, with economic, social justice, and other implications. The problem is undeniable, and it’s urgent in the next 5-10 years. I am particularly interested in green building materials, such as cross-laminated timber. The market for such products will be colossal before long. If Maine can develop a manufacturing capacity, it would benefit both the environment and Maine’s economy. Economic and Community Development would increase wages and tax revenue, permitting us to do more about more issues. With this in mind, I have been teaming up with folks inside and outside of government to facilitate housing and educational opportunities.

Q: What are your biggest concerns about the economy and what should the Legislature do to address them?

I am concerned that we are neglecting to adapt our state economy to current and future realities. By growing our biotechnology sector more, we would have higher wages, more primary and spinoff jobs, and a more diverse and resilient economy. Even though Maine’s higher education research and development expenditures are less than one-fourth that of the other New England states, incredible innovation still is occurring at UMaine, Jackson Labs, the Roux Institute, and elsewhere in Maine. Imagine if Maine invested more!

Q: Do you support changing Maine’s abortion law to make it more or less restrictive and how?

Less restrictive. Reproductive healthcare is healthcare, and healthcare is a human right. I would support a state constitutional amendment enshrining current statutory protections, but that’s not a possibility for the foreseeable future.

Q: Do you believe President Biden won the 2020 election fairly?

Yes! People and organizations contesting the outcome have filed over sixty lawsuits. In American courts – which rely on evidence – they’ve lost all but one. Their only mini-victory affected very few votes, and was ultimately overturned by an appeals court in Pennsylvania. Many of the judges who threw out cases for lack of evidence were even appointed by Donald Trump.

AT A GLANCE

City: Portland

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Family Physician

Education: B.S. in History with minor in Spanish, United States Naval Academy; M. Phil in Economic and Social History, Oxford University, U.K.;  M.D., Harvard University; Family Medicine Residency, Maine Medical Center

Civic/Political Experience: State representative (parts of Portland) since Dec. 2020. Assignments: Health and Human Services Committee; House Chair of Legislative Panel on Gene Editing as it pertains to health, the environment and natural world; Maine state economy, statewide education system, bioethics, history, and other facets. Volunteer work in the past decade: Board of Portland Public Library; physician volunteer with Greater Portland Health at Deering High School-based health center; Board of Maine Academy of Family Physicians;

Website

– Lucas Dufalia