Bradley Ducharme, Republican

Bradley Ducharme

Republican

Office Sought: Representative – District 8
Age: 61
Occupation: I am a small business owner, Shorelands Guest Resort in Kennebunk.
Education: I graduated from Wells High School in 1973 and from Maine Maritime Academy in 1977. I have a BS Degree in Marine Engineering, a USCG Unlimited Chief Engineers License and hold a 1st Class State of Maine Engineers License. I have completed many union trade courses such as Advanced Fire Fighting, Crowd and Crisis Control, Leadership and Management.
Family: I am married to Sonja E. Haag-Ducharme and have 4 children, 5 grand-children, and 3 great grand-children. All except the great grand-children have attended the Kennebunk School systems.
Hometown: Kennebunk

Political experience

I have no past political experience, but I am known to be a “worker among workers” and one that finds the right solution to get the task at hand done.

Why are you running for office?

I believe that I can best serve my community by representing District 8 in Augusta as a representative in the House. The management and business leadership I will bring will bridge the partisan divide and complete legislation needed to move the State of Maine forward into the future. I pledge to all in District 8 that I will consider all opinions when addressing legislation and what is in the best interest for the Kennebunk’s.

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 believe Maine should start by lowering the income tax and taxes on pensions for the elderly. Shortfall would be made up with increased sales taxes.
Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
- Other
  This issue will be decided by the voters on November 8th, 2016.
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
  This issue will be decided by the voters on November 8th, 2016.
Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
- Other
  This issue will be decided by the voters on November 8th, 2016.
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, more funding is needed. If question one passes then I would like to see a tax for addiction treatment on the sale of marijuana.