Previous Offices Held
None
Top Three Priorities
Rural resilience including affordable living, housing repair and building, education in the trades and strengthening public schools for the future, and supporting farms and the local food economy.
Why are you running?
I want to do anything I can to make life better for my neighbors. Times are hard and many are suffering, if I can do anything to work toward a better future where everyone has what they need to thrive, then I'm going to do that. Running for office felt like a way forward to helping the most people and doing some good in a difficult time.
What is one way Maine is on the right track? What is one way the state is on the wrong track?
I was born and raised in Maine and one of the best things about this state is how we drop everything (including any differences) to help one another in a crisis. Storms, fires, illnesses — neighbors helping neighbors to survive and recover, that's the best of Maine, and I hope we can view our current difficult times as this kind of moment, lay down differences, and help each other through.
As one of several dozen legislators in your chamber, how would you make a measurable difference for your constituents?
I would aim to join the Education Committee and use my background to advocate for our public and trade schools so we can build a promising future for Maine. Keeping rural schools and hospitals open and accessible is a huge concern for my constituents, and I would fight hard to make that happen. Watching access to healthcare and education slip away from those of us in rural areas is terrible and unacceptable to me.
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 fully agree with the new tax on higher incomes, and I think we could do more of that. My district has a close to 20% childhood poverty rate and I would do anything in my power to lower that number. Universal childcare and healthcare would go a very long way towards easing burdens for folks as well. Raising a family in Maine shouldn't put you in financial difficulties. If we want a future generation growing up here, we need to support working families in a meaningful way.