Mark E. Bryant (D)

Age: 57

Address: 166 Albion Road, Windham

Occupation: Customer Service Representative

Political experience: Served four terms as a Maine State Representative

Q: How do you plan to make a difference for your communities if elected to the Legislature?

A: I plan on making a difference in my community by being a strong and effective voice supporting the needs of all Windham residents. I will draw upon my experience as a legislator and an involved citizen.

All Mainers deserve to have good jobs that pay a living wage, access to affordable and quality health care, and a healthy and productive environment in which to live.

I believe by working together we can make Windham and Maine an even better place to live and prosper.

Dennis E. Welch (R)

Age: 45

Address: 26 James Way, Windham

Occupation: Corrections Officer

Political Experience: Windham town councilor (2011-present), President National Correctional Employees Union Local 110 (2013-present)

Q: How do you plan to make a difference for your communities if elected to the Legislature?

A: Welfare Reform: The purpose of welfare is to help individuals get back on their feet. It was never designed to be a lifetime program, and I do not believe it is the government’s job to take care of able-bodied citizens forever. I would work across party lines within the Legislature to achieve true welfare reform; this would include tackling problems with fraud, waste and abuse. I would support limits to how long a person can receive benefits, so the program is there for those who need it most, now and into the future.

Education: State law mandates 55 percent of all school funding be paid by the state government and they are not keeping their commitment. I would work with other state legislators and the governor to find a way to fulfill this obligation.

Revenue Sharing: We cannot continue to place undue burdens on state municipalities; I would work hard to create a formula that protects them with respect to revenue sharing.

Personal Philosophy: The people are crying out for leadership; they are fed up with the bickering they are forced to endure from politicians who champion partisan rhetoric at the expense of progress. I will tackle each issue with the goal of finding the best solution for Mainers; I will prove it is possible to find solutions to complex problems by working with members of the Legislature, regardless of affiliation.