Age (on Election Day): 37
Party affiliation: Republican
Occupation: Forestry company manager
Community organizations:
East Baldwin Congregational Church; Local 4-H club
Hobbies, activities etc.:
Downhill skiing, hiking, traveling, family time
Family status: Married; 2 children
Years in Legislature: 2
Clean Election candidate? No
Committee assignments wanted:
Energy, Utilities and Technology
What is the most pressing problem in your district and what do you plan to do about it?
The opioid crisis. Last session we passed legislation that added 10 new agents to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency to help catch the traffickers bringing this poison into our state. We also added $2.5 million in additional funding to help those addicted seek treatment. There’s more to do!
Gov. Paul LePage wants to eliminate the state income tax. Do you support that? If not, why not?
I support lowering the income tax and sales tax to 4 percent each. We lowered the income tax from 8.95 down to 7.15 percent during the last legislative session
Are you willing to support raising the fuel tax to fix Maine roads? If not, why not?
I do not support raising taxes as a knee-jerk solution to any problem. I’m pleased with the job Maine DOT is doing. Maine winters are going to be tough on our roads and we need to make sure that we are properly prioritizing road maintenance. Raising taxes doesn’t solve problems.
The relationship between the governor and the Legislature has deteriorated over the past six years. What can the Legislature do to improve that relationship?
History shows us that the Legislature can coexist with LePage. Since LePage took over in 2010, we have seen the two largest income tax cuts in Maine history; we have repaid a half-billion dollar debt to Maine’s hospitals; we’ve saved more than $1 billion over the long-term through pension reforms
What methods do you support to reduce opiate addiction in Maine?
We need to add more agents to the fight and, along with that, we should look at adding more funding for treatment. I also believe we need to look at much harsher sentences for drug traffickers — heroin traffickers would think twice before bringing their poison to Maine.
How are you voting on the referendum questions?
Question 1: No
Question 2: No
Question 3: No
Question 4: No
Question 5: No
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