The election in Maine House District 35 features Democratic incumbent Dillon Bates facing Republican political newcomer James Bourque. District 35 encompasses a large portion of Westbrook, from the Presumpscot River north.

Bates, 28, of 47 Garfield St., is a teacher and soccer coach at Maine Girls Academy (formerly Catherine McAuley High School) in Portland and track coach at Massabesic High School in the spring. He is finishing up his first term in the Legislature, where he sponsored bills to raise minimum wage and eliminate the A through F rating system for public schools. 

Bourque, of 47 Grandview Drive, is a retired vice president of human resources at Nappi Distributors, the beer and wine wholesaler. He replaced Republican candidate Emily Spencer after the June primary.

Both candidates said one of the key issues facing both the state and the city of Westbrook is the opioid crisis. 

“It hits home for a lot of people,” Bates said of the crisis, adding that Gov. Paul LePage’s approach to the drug conversation is “not helping.” 

He said he’d like to see the Legislature “act with a unified front” on the issue, and quickly. 

“The next Legislature is prepared to act on it, but the question will ultimately be the governor,” he said. 

Locally, Bates said community initiatives like those established by police officials in Westbrook and Scarborough are a model for the rest of the state, and need to be supported. The Westbrook-based organization, Community Approach to Stopping Heroin (CASH), recently hired a coordinator. 

Bourque said the drug crisis is a “very difficult situation,” and would like to see the next Legislature take more action. But, he said, he’s not sure what the answer is to the crisis.

“We need more results,” he said. 

When asked the No. 1 issue facing the Legislature, both Bates and Bourque pointed to the economy. Bates said the “economic security” of the state is most important, which he described as securing good jobs.

“Jobs that allow people to stay in the state,” he said, referring to young Mainers who don’t return home after attending college out of state – a problem that both candidates referenced.

Bates said he has many friends who are still living out of state because they believe there are more opportunities. 

Bourque agreed with the concern for the “graying of the state,” and said high taxes and regulation are partly to blame for younger people living elsewhere. He said he would focus on creating more trade jobs.  

Leading up to Election Day, Bates said he was a supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders for president during the primary. Now, he said, he will give his support to Hillary Clinton.

Bourque declined to give a firm answer about his voting intentions, but said he is leaning toward Donald Trump.

When asked the most important constituent issue he’ll be fighting for in Augusta, Bates said its a tie between an expansion of MaineCare and the state’s drug crisis.

“It’s just prevalent, so it will be a huge focus for me,” he said.  

Going door to door in Westbrook, Bourque said, constituents were concerned with the drug crisis, as well as the rate of development in the city. But he also said that there is great frustration with politicians in general, and hopes to change that. 

On the six state referendum questions, Bates said he supports Question 1 to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana, arguing the tax revenue can help the state fund needed programs for job creation and the Department of Health and Human Services. 

“We need that tax revenue,” he said. 

Bourque said he is undecided, but is leaning toward no. He said he has concerns about the public safety aspect of legalizing marijuana. 

“I’m skeptical because I don’t believe the science of impairment has caught up to where this is with recreational use,” he said. 

On Question 2, which would implement an additional 3 percent income tax for households making more than $200,000 annually to be used specifically toward funding education, Bates said he is voting yes. 

“I work in the schools, and they are underfunded,” he said. 

Bourque is not supporting Question 2, stating that it will be another drawback for Maine’s economy. 

Bates is also in favor of Question 3, an initiative that would require background checks for all gun sales and transfers in the state. 

He said he owns firearms, as well as members of his family, but said, “There’s no reason I can’t pass a background check. There’s no reason anyone else shouldn’t have to.” 

Bourque said Question 3 concerns him because the majority of funding for the campaign has come from out of state. 

“These are supposed to be referendums for Maine constituents,” he said, adding that the language on gun transfers is also concerning to him. 

Question 4, which would raise the state minimum wage of $7.50 to $12 by 2020, is a tough decision for both candidates. Bates said he’ll most likely support it, but has some reservations.

“I’m not necessarily a fan of the way it is written, but I like the concept,” Bates said.

Bourque said he will oppose the minimum wage law because he believes it will cost jobs. 

“They’re putting the cart before the horse,” he said. 

Bates said he supports ranked-choice voting, which is the subject of Question 5. He believes it will make it easier for voters, and also be beneficial to both major political parties. But, he also said he’d be curious to hear the Maine Secretary of State’s position on the language. 

Bourque will vote no, and believes ranked choice voting will only “complicate the process.” 

Both candidates support Question 6, which would borrow $100 million for transportation projects. 

Dillon Bates 

Jim Bourque 

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