Political experience

I served in the 126th Legislature after winning a special election for a vacant Senate seat in then District 19. Prior to that, I served on the local school board for ten years. I served as Chair of the Sagadahoc Democratic Committee for four years between 2004-2008.

Why are you running for office?

I am running to represent the interests of constituents who live in this district, to bring common sense and a willingness to work on solving real problems to the State House. I have been working for 35 years to create opportunities for Maine people to go back to school, prepare for and find good jobs and start small businesses. Education, quality jobs and a well-trained workforce, and entrepreneurship are among my priorities. I have the temperament, skills, knowledge and experience with Maine’s economy to get things done. While in the Senate I earned the respect of colleagues. I am running to make a difference.

• 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?
  • No

    I think it is important that our tax structure remain balanced and fair among all three sources: income, sales and property taxes.

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

    It is important to close the loop hole around private guns sales so criminals, mentally ill cannot buy guns. We may need to clean up the legislation if it passes and I intend to support legislation to ensure that hunters and trappers can freely exchange firearms during the season without the expensive and time-consuming background checks as the current legislation seems to require.

• 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?
  • Yes

    Anyone who works for a living deserves to make a living. Minimum wage workers are single mothers juggling multiple shifts, parents trying to put their kids through college, and senior citizens who remain in the workforce in order to pay for medications. Minimum wage workers are providing services we all use – they are grocery store clerks, home health aides, child care workers, food service personnel – and we need to support the people who support us every day.

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

    I think it is time to decriminalize marijuana. I do have some concerns that we have sufficient regulation and education to protect young people.

• 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?
  • Not when we are still losing people to drug over doses. I don’t know precisely what more is needed but I believe the three pronged strategy of prevention, treatment and law enforcement are all necessary.The Addiction Resource Center at Mid Coast hospital offers one model of success at the community level.