{"id":11858,"date":"2026-09-25T19:07:43","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T19:07:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stage.pressherald.com\/voter-guide\/candidates\/mary-shannon-lindstrom\/"},"modified":"2026-09-25T19:07:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T19:07:43","slug":"mary-shannon-lindstrom","status":"publish","type":"candidate","link":"https:\/\/stage.pressherald.com\/voter-guide\/candidates\/mary-shannon-lindstrom\/","title":{"rendered":"Mary Shannon Lindstrom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Previous Offices Held<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In 2020, successfully ran for the Scarborough School Board. In 2024, successfully ran for a second term on the Scarborough School Board. I have served as the School Board chair since 2021.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Top Three Priorities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Affordability: Rising costs are making it harder for Mainers to stay in their communities. Affordability requires immediate relief and long-term strategies that stabilize how municipalities raise revenue.\n\nGrowth: We must balance development with infrastructure and housing needed to support it while protecting our natural resources. \n\nEducation: Scarborough\u2019s educational needs must be clearly represented in Augusta, and state policy should strengthen Maine\u2019s schools and support student success.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Why are you running?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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After six years on the Scarborough School Board, I\u2019m ready to advocate for the issues shaping life in Maine and ensure Scarborough\u2019s voice is heard at the state level. I\u2019ve seen the challenges our neighbors face and am ready to run for office to help address them. I am a candidate who believes deeply in consensus-building. Bringing people with different perspectives together, focusing on what we share in common and working toward solutions that move our community forward.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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What is one way Maine is on the right track? What is one way the state is on the wrong track?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Maine has long excelled at preserving its natural environment, protecting forests, coastlines and wildlife habitats that define the state\u2019s character. This commitment to conservation supports a high quality of life, offering clean air, clean water, outdoor recreation, and strong connections rooted in the state\u2019s natural beauty. Many residents feel Maine is off track when it comes to affordability, with rising housing and living costs creating pressure for families and seniors across the state.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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As one of several dozen legislators in your chamber, how would you make a measurable difference for your constituents?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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As one of many legislators, I will make a measurable difference by staying grounded in the everyday experiences of Maine people and focusing on practical, community-driven solutions. I will listen closely, work collaboratively and bring forward ideas shaped by real needs. By building relationships, seeking common ground and keeping my work transparent and accessible, I will help move meaningful, achievable progress forward for our state.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Surveys show the economy is the top concern of voters. What is a specific proposal addressing Maine voters\u2019 economic anxieties that you\u2019d work to make law?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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I support exploring new revenue tools that help municipalities reduce their reliance on property taxes, one of the largest drivers of affordability challenges. One option is a local option sales tax, applied specifically to industries and purchases typically associated with tourism. Tourists who enjoy Maine\u2019s natural beauty and vibrant communities also benefit from these services, and a modest, targeted contribution from them can help support the infrastructure that makes their visits possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":5100,"template":"","meta":{"voter_guide_candidate_first_name":"Mary","voter_guide_candidate_middle_name":"Shannon","voter_guide_candidate_last_name":"Lindstrom","voter_guide_candidate_suffix":"","voter_guide_candidate_race_id":11742,"voter_guide_candidate_age":47,"voter_guide_candidate_hometown":"","voter_guide_candidate_occupation":"Self employed, offering leadership development training to credit union employees in partnership with credit unions and credit union leagues.","voter_guide_candidate_bio":"I live in Scarborough with my husband, Jason. We have four boys. Rooted in family and service, I volunteer and work in the credit union movement, helping develop leaders and strengthen our community.","voter_guide_candidate_education":"Bachelor's degree in health services administration from the University of Central Florida. Master's in public policy from George Mason University.","voter_guide_candidate_years_in_municipality":"","voter_guide_candidate_headshot_url":"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=1jRo7JEjidjh32qfHRowLuSF22_yKh_gA","voter_guide_candidate_date_filed":"","footnotes":""},"vg_party":[466],"vg_residence_municipality":[],"class_list":["post-11858","candidate","type-candidate","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","vg_party-independent"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stage.pressherald.com\/voter-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/candidates\/11858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stage.pressherald.com\/voter-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/candidates"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stage.pressherald.com\/voter-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/candidate"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/stage.pressherald.com\/voter-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/candidates\/11858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11859,"href":"https:\/\/stage.pressherald.com\/voter-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/candidates\/11858\/revisions\/11859"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.pressherald.com\/voter-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stage.pressherald.com\/voter-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"vg_party","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.pressherald.com\/voter-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vg_party?post=11858"},{"taxonomy":"vg_residence_municipality","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.pressherald.com\/voter-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vg_residence_municipality?post=11858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}