Republican Rep. Matthew Harrington is running for re-election against Democrat Nalbert Tero in House District 19, which covers part of Sanford.

Harrington, 30, is a police officer and has served one term in the Maine House.

Harrington said in responses to a Portland Press Herald survey that he wants to cut taxes, lessen onerous regulations, and let people, not government, decide what is best for their families.

He also said he wants to strengthen public safety in Maine and use his experience as a police officer to help address the heroin epidemic.

Harrington opposes the referendum proposals to expand background checks for private gun purchases, legalize recreational use of marijuana and raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020.

He said he has administered aid to overdose victims and looked into the eyes of family members who lost loved ones, and said it is “a problem that requires aggressive enforcement, treatment and education.”

Tero, 33, is a garden center manager and former Peace Corps volunteer making his first run for elected office.

Tero said in his responses to the newspaper’s survey that he supports the referendum proposals to expand background checks for private gun purchases, legalize recreational use of marijuana and raise the state’s minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020.

He said the heroin epidemic has had stunning impacts on his community and that “more absolutely needs to be done.” He said the state should support police and make sure treatment is available and, most important, put resources into prevention and education so that kids don’t get hooked in the first place.

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