Previous Offices Held
Currently serving second consecutive two-year term representing Maine House District 135.
Top Three Priorities
1. Grow Maine’s economy and make it work better for everyone, which includes addressing the affordability crisis in housing and healthcare and increasing the supply of high-wage jobs. 2. Support an education system that prepares Mainers of all ages for successful careers and engaged citizenship. 3. Protect the quality of life sustained by Maine’s natural environment, our clean air and waters, and our strong communities.
Why are you running?
Four generations of my family live in southern Maine, which is why I’m committed to making the future brighter for all. After 35 years in business, I sought public office to focus on strengthening Maine’s economy. As a representative, I’ve worked to accelerate business innovation and to make education, housing and good-paying jobs more attainable. In the Senate, I’ll continue to address the cost-of-living crisis, build a fairer tax system, and protect the civil rights of everyone in the state.
What is one way Maine is on the right track? What is one way the state is on the wrong track?
Right track: fiscal management. We’ve run consistent surpluses over the past eight years, growing our budget stabilization fund, improving our bond rating, and meeting essential state obligations to education, municipalities and the social safety net. Wrong track: Cost of living. Housing, healthcare, energy, groceries and taxes are consuming more of Mainers’ budgets than we can afford. Looming federal cuts will make this even harder, which is why we need experienced leadership to address it.
As one of several dozen legislators in your chamber, how would you make a measurable difference for your constituents?
I have a long-term vision for a stronger Maine and know how to build relationships to achieve it. I collaborate well with legislators of both parties in both chambers. I know how to build consensus and find common ground rooted in shared values and interests. I co-chaired the Taxation Committee, which reached unanimous votes 60% of the time. I led the Maine-Canadian Legislative Advisory Commission, working to help Maine grow and thrive within a more prosperous international region.
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?
Last term, I collaborated with a group of legislators to assemble a tax reform package that would have lowered sales, property and income taxes for most working- and middle-class Mainers, paid for by income tax increases on the top 10%. The governor opted instead for a millionaires’ tax that did not include middle-class tax relief. If elected to the Senate, I will resume this effort to reduce taxes on the vast majority of Mainers.