Previous Offices Held
I spent 8 years serving as a city councilor in Hallowell (2017-2025) where I served as council president, chair of the finance committee, and chair of the housing committee. I worked on writing the city’s tax increment finance policy, and the 2020 Comprehensive Plan to set goals and shape our community. I was elected to the Charter Commission in 2015. I also ran for mayor of Hallowell in 2020 and 2023. The race in 2020 was decided by just 2 votes.
Top Three Priorities
Affordability:The gap between wages and affordability is widening. We need responsible spending and thoughtful legislation without overburdening Mainers. Healthcare:All Mainers deserve healthcare that is affordable and accessible in their communities. Preservation:Maine offers remarkable beauty, clean air and endless recreational opportunities. These are being threatened. We need solutions to remediate PFAS from our water and farm lands; stabilize shorelands and preserve our wilderness.
Why are you running?
I was raised to show up for neighbors and to stand up for what’s right. I’ve carried those lessons into active engagement in my community and service in public office. I’m passionate about creating policy to better people’s lives, implementing strategies to improve affordability, preserving our natural resources and protecting rights. I’m ready to take the work I’ve done on the municipal level and bring it to the State House to help Mainers.
What is one way Maine is on the right track? What is one way the state is on the wrong track?
Maine has been leading the way in addressing climate issues. Maine is on the right track in supporting working waterfronts, combatting flooding and focusing on initiatives to promote climate resiliency. Maine will benefit from examining recent reports ranking our education system near the bottom in reading and math scores. We need to be sure that our teachers have the resources they need to support better student success.
As one of several dozen legislators in your chamber, how would you make a measurable difference for your constituents?
Over and over, I’ve been the voice for people that needed change to improve their lives. I will listen to the people of Manchester, West Gardiner and Hallowell to elevate their voices to be heard in Augusta. I want to bring those voices to the table and collaborate with state leaders to enact legislation to better Maine communities.
Surveys show the economy is the top concern of voters. What is a specific proposal addressing Maine voters’ economic anxieties that you’d work to make law?
I would advocate for increasing the homestead exemption. It’s an attainable change that would provide real and immediate property tax relief, especially for retired Mainers aging in place and property owners living on fixed incomes. I would also support more funding for education in the trades. This would help provide the training Mainers need to improve their earning potential, expand the workforce across Maine and give us the qualified tradespeople needed to expand housing and development.