Previous Offices Held
2018-Cumberland Town Council candidate; 2022-MSAD 51 candidate, won, served 2022-2025; 2024-Maine House District 110 candidate, won, served 2024-current.
Top Three Priorities
Access to health options, affordable housing, and quality education across the state are foundational for a strong society and economy. Expand Mainecare; support workforce programs in healthcare fields, technology and clean energy; and increase affordable housing in Maine, including the islands. These priorities are interconnected and vital to much-needed workers. Maine people and businesses can thrive when all individuals and families find health, homes and educational opportunities here.
Why are you running?
To be a strong, healthy state we need to protect and strengthen the rights we have to pursue our chosen lives, education and jobs. Sponsoring and supporting laws and identifying ways to make our lives and businesses work better is my way to help Mainers. The controversial divisions and challenges to our freedoms can and must be confronted with facts and determination to succeed. I will continue to fight for ways to protect and strengthen our state.
What is one way Maine is on the right track? What is one way the state is on the wrong track?
Maine's economy is on track with a balanced state budget, AA1/+ state credit rating and a $700 million rainy day fund. A strong economy can be elusive especially nowadays; this is a respectable achievement. At the same time, Maine is challenged by high property taxes, a workforce shortage and an aging population to support. These challenges need to be addressed to keep Maine strong.
As one of several dozen legislators in your chamber, how would you make a measurable difference for your constituents?
I will continue to make a difference to my constituents by addressing the needs specific to our communities. All three towns in District 110 have coastal erosion concerns and worker shortages. Long Island and Chebeague Island both seek to keep their schools open, an issue directly connected to affordable housing shortages. The interconnection between housing, available workforce, educational access and confronting climate challenges needs to be addressed as an intertwined issue.
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?
Specifically these economic challenges can be addressed by further tax relief proposals and work education programs. In conjunction with affordable housing measures to encourage viable workers to seek gainful employment in the state and to settle here, I would work to build on the new workforce-education programs, including but not limited to expanding programs at the community colleges that will relieve the critical labor shortages, especially in healthcare, childcare and the trades.