Age (on Election Day): 28
Party affiliation: Republican
Occupation: Financial records manager, Brakey Energy
Community organizations:
Big Brothers, Big Sisters; L/A Community Little Theatre; Chamber of Commerce’s “Uplift L/A”
Hobbies, activities etc.: Theatre is my greatest personal hobby. In recent years, I’ve enjoyed being on stage at the Lewiston/Auburn Community Little Theatre, playing the roles of Felix Unger in “The Odd Couple” and Mortimer Brewster in “Arsenic and Old Lace.”
Family status: Unmarried
Years in Legislature: 2
Clean Election candidate? No
Committee assignments wanted:
Health and Human Services
What is the most pressing problem in your district and what do you plan to do about it?
We need a stronger job environment in Maine. That comes by empowering people, not government. For decades, Maine has lagged behind in job creation with some of the highest taxes in the nation. We need to lower taxes, cut red tape, develop affordable energy and reform our broken welfare system.
Gov. Paul LePage wants to eliminate the state income tax. Do you support that? If not, why not?
Yes. Maine’s high tax burden has driven out-of-state our jobs, our young people and our retired seniors. Where are they moving to? States like Florida and New Hampshire without an income tax. Let’s bring them home. Let’s stop being one of the highest taxed states in the nation.
Are you willing to support raising the fuel tax to fix Maine roads? If not, why not?
As electric cars become more common, the burden of the gas tax falls increasingly on those with traditional vehicles. We need to look for alternative taxation structures — accounting for miles driven instead of gas used — not putting more burdens on traditional vehicle owners by simply raising gas taxes.
The relationship between the governor and the Legislature has deteriorated over the past six years. What can the Legislature do to improve that relationship?
As individual legislators, we can lead by example: putting Maine people first, not partisan politics. That’s why I am proud to have one of the most independent voting records in the Maine Senate. No disagreement on any single issue should prevent us from working together on areas of common ground.
What methods do you support to reduce opiate addiction in Maine?
I support investing in drug treatment — not incarceration — for those struggling with addiction. Drug treatment has better outcomes and costs less to taxpayers. That’s why I’ve supported reducing criminal penalties for simple possession offenses, increasing access to Naloxone and investing in peer centers for those in recovery.
How are you voting on the referendum questions?
Question 1: Yes
Question 2: No
Question 3: No
Question 4: No
Question 5: Yes
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