Incumbent Brian McCambridge is facing challenger Dustin Sleight in the Ward 1 race for the Westbrook City Council in the municipal election on Nov. 4. The seat is a three-year term.

McCambridge, 52, is an IT support manager and Sleight, 42, is a systems engineering manager at IDEXX.

BRIAN MCCAMBRIDGE

McCambridge is married with two sons and he has served on the City Council, representing Ward 1, since January. He served on the Public Safety Commission from October 2022 to January. He is also a board member at the Maine Irish Heritage Center.

What is the No. 1 issue facing Westbrook?

“Affordability,” McCambridge said.

Why do you want to serve on the City Council?

“(I am a) strong supporter of public education,” McCambridge said. “I want to ensure our school system is appropriately and responsibly funded; (ensure) Westbrook is an affordable place to live; (and) I pride myself in being a representative for all the residents in my ward, regardless of their political views.”

DUSTIN SLEIGHT

Sleight is married and is secretary of the Westbrook Public Safety Commission. He’s a volunteer with Maine Odyssey of the Mind and the University of Southern Maine Engineering Department.

What is the No. 1 issue facing Westbrook?

“Westbrook needs more transparency and thoughtful oversight in how decisions are made, especially when it comes to spending public funds,” Sleight said. “Too often, major financial commitments are approved with minimal discussion or without independent analysis, which risks undermining both public trust and long-term value. While efficiency is important, it shouldn’t come at the expense of accountability. Healthy debate, scrutiny, and public engagement are essential to a functioning democracy. When city leadership operates within a tightly connected circle, it can become too easy to move things forward without truly considering alternative perspectives or asking tough questions. As a growing city, we face opportunities around development, infrastructure and sustainability — but we must be smart about how we invest in them. I believe Westbrook deserves leaders who will bring greater openness to the process, advocate for independent evaluation, and ensure our community has a real voice in the choices that shape its future.”

Why do you want to serve on the City Council?

“I’m running because I care deeply about Westbrook and believe we deserve a City Council that listens more, asks better questions, and puts people first,” Sleight said. “I want to strengthen not just our infrastructure, but our sense of community. As we face rising social isolation and divisive political rhetoric, I believe in investing in third places — the parks, libraries, cafes, clubs, and gathering spaces where neighbors connect and community thrives. These places are vital to mental health, civic engagement and belonging. I’m a progressive candidate who values public services, education and sustainability — but I also believe in fiscal responsibility and inclusive local government. I want to bring a thoughtful, intelligent voice to the council, someone who sees municipal government as not just an administrative body, but a community builder. We can make Westbrook a model of connection, collaboration and local pride and I’d be honored to help lead that effort.”