The race for the District 5 seat in the Maine House of Representatives pits a sitting legislator against a former one.

Joshua Plante, a Democrat from Berwick and former legislator, is challenging incumbent Rep. Beth O’Connor, a Republican from Berwick. The two have faced each other twice before, and each won once.

Plante, 28, is a licensed loan officer and grocery store manager. Along with a term in the Legislature, he now serves on the Board of Selectmen. Plante says he wants the state to fully fund 55 percent of public education costs, and he wants to expand Maine’s Medicaid program. He supports referendum questions seeking to expand gun background checks and to increase the minimum wage, but he opposes marijuana legalization.

More information about Plante can be found at pressherald.com/politics.

O’Connor, 58, did not respond to survey questions about her background and positions on key issues.

She works as a waitress when the Legistalure is not in session and has said on her Facebook page that her priorities at the State House include keeping taxes low, providing welfare only to people in need and improving education.


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