Republican State Representative Gary Moore is running against Democrat Michael Shaw for House District 102, which covers Standish.

Gary Moore

Gary Moore, 62, was born in Portland, and now resides on Oak Hill Road in Standish with his wife, Rita. Moore has a bachelor of arts in English and a master’s in educational administration, both from the University of Southern Maine.

Moore started his teaching career in the Windham school system and continued on to become a principal and then a superintendent.

“That experience has been very helpful for me in the Legislature,” said Moore. “It has enabled me to deal with educational issues and help educate people in Augusta about issues schools and educators face.”

Moore has been endorsed by the Maine Sportsmen’s Alliance and the National Rifle Association.

He derives his motivation from the people in his district.

“I really enjoy interacting with people in town,” said Moore. “That is my greatest motivator.”

Moore is especially interested in veteran issues. “I am on the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee. I find it very interesting. Veterans issues will become more prevalent in the future and I want to be there to help,” said Moore.

Veteran’s affairs is a big issue for Moore, especially the health issues facing veterans, including the effects of Agent Orange.

“These health issues are a continuing problem,” said Moore. “It is going to be a statewide issue and a huge challenge. These issues are close to home for me, and I believe they are important issues to support.”

Another big issue Moore would like to tackle is state health care.

“People in this state are desperate for health care,” said Moore. “If they are not desperate for it, they are at least worried about it in some way. So the question is, what can be done about it?”

Transportation is another major issue for Moore. “Transportation is going to be a continuing issue,” he said. “Look at the Gorham bypass, the Route 113 corridor, we need to look at how these issues impact the community. We must really chart our own future here. We need to keep the character of our community but also accommodate the current needs. It is a balancing act.”

Moore said he has been known to vote outside party lines if he feels very strongly about an issue.

“I have been called a RINO,” said Moore. “That stands for Republican In Name Only. I don’t mind. I actually consider it a compliment.”

Moore voted against his party last session regarding state insurance for firefighters and law enforcement employees. Most of his party voted against giving these employees state insurance. Moore felt that was wrong.

“Most of these firefighters are volunteers,” said Moore. “And law enforcement is there to protect us, if anyone should be receiving good insurance, it is them. Who is more deserving?”

Michael Shaw

Michael Shaw, 34, lives on Perimeter Road in Standish with his wife, Pascale. Shaw is a conductor on the Downeaster rail line. He started his railroading career in Boston upon graduating high school.

He received a technician certificate from Southern Maine Technical College, and has been employed by Amtrak for 16 years.

Shaw also holds a Coast Guard captain’s license. He has been endorsed by the Maine Credit Union League, the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine, the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Unions and the Maine State Employees Association.

Shaw is running because, he said, “I think that Augusta needs to have the perspective of a regular working man.” He has three major issues he would tackle immediately if elected.

The first is tax reform.

“We need to reduce the tax burden for communities,” said Shaw. “It is a tough situation, but there are many options we can look at. I would first eliminate the tax loopholes that are currently written into our sales tax laws.”

Shaw believes the state should tax more things that are used by out-of-state residents.

“We need to think about raising lodging taxes in cities where people vacation. By spreading the tax burden to non-Maine residents, we can reduce taxes for families and small businesses here in Maine,” he said.

“Another way we can reduce the tax burden and save Maine people money is by looking for and stopping the inefficiencies and duplications in administrative costs in any form,” Shaw added.

In order to build a stronger Maine economy, Shaw believes the state must invest in higher education.

“Higher education is an important key to economic development,” he said. “We should be putting funding into research and development in the University of Maine system. This is a high priority for me. We need to work on keeping kids in this state.”

“My opponent voted ‘no’ on LD 42, a bill to fund research and development at Maine campuses,” said Shaw. “I most definitely would have voted ‘yes.'”

Like to his opponent, Shaw believes in improving transportation infrastructure throughout the state. He would do this partially by using rail lines.

“I think we need to restore the Mountain Division branch of the railway, with commuter trains as well as excursion trains,” said Shaw. “That is an important issue.”

He is a strong believer in family and as such believes that employees should be able to use up to five sick days a year to take care of an ill loved one.

“I see this as a family issue,” said Shaw. “My opponent voted against a bill that would have allowed Maine people to use their sick days to take care of a sick family member. I would have voted ‘yes.'”