Previous Offices Held
State senator, District 14, 2021-present; state representative, District 81/82, 2012-2020; president, Maine Electoral College, 2012; Democratic nominee for state representative, 2010; Kennebec County delegate, Special Democratic Nominating Convention for the United States Senate, 2026; delegate, Democratic National Convention, 2008.
Top Three Priorities
Safeguarding fundamental human rights; supporting veterans and protecting voting rights as chair of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee; ensuring access to food, housing and healthcare; strengthening rural economic development; supporting farming, fishing and forestry industries while protecting natural resources; protecting children from abuse, neglect and death; and, as chair of the Government Oversight Committee, holding government accountable through oversight of agencies and programs
Why are you running?
Public service remains my purpose and my duty. I’m running for my fourth and final term in the Senate to continue representing the good people of District 14 in order to complete much of the bipartisan work set in motion over seven terms in the Legislature and advancing policies that make life better for people. My experience, leadership and commitment to working across the aisle to achieve results are needed now more than ever in these divisive and challenging times.
What is one way Maine is on the right track? What is one way the state is on the wrong track?
Mainers do a great job keeping our soil, air, and waterways clean, even as we work to mitigate forever chemicals in our soil and milfoil infestations in our lakes. We must do a much better job safeguarding taxpayer dollars and ensuring that government agencies and programs are more accountable to the people and free from fraud, waste, abuse, and other inefficiencies. And we must take better care of all our children.
As one of several dozen legislators in your chamber, how would you make a measurable difference for your constituents?
With the most bipartisan voting record in the Legislature, I’ll impact people’s lives through landmark policy and community action. Listening intently to the problems of everyday people, even when you can’t solve them, goes a long way. I will continue to do my best serving the individual needs of my constituents, however great or small, up to and including providing financial assistance with necessities, as allowed by the law.
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?
If legislators could pass laws that directly improve our economy or lower the cost of groceries and gas, Lord knows I would. I will continue to advocate for working-class tax relief through comprehensive tax code reform so working people and small business owners can keep more of their hard-earned money and remain self-sufficient. I will support polices that hold accountable the corporations that gouge prices on necessities such as food, fuel and prescriptions.