Name: Frederick Austin
Date of birth : Feb 21, 1947
Family : married 4 children , 7 grandchildren
Residence: 11 Grove St. Newport,Me
Political party: Democratic
Employment: retired
Education: M' ED
Political experience: ran for legislature in 2008
Publicly financed candidate? yes

1. Why are you running for office?
In Augusta. small town concerns get lost in the shuffle. as an educator and social worker, i have witnessed the the economic and social burdens that Maine families shoulder. i want to work for them to improve their lives

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
This would be attracting businesses and jobs to Maine without lowering our quality of life

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I would support a one percent increase in the sales tax as long as a maximum of 6 percent income tax was enacted. This would allow tourism to contribute to our state treasury

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
New businesses should have a 2 year tax holiday We need to improve our transportation system such as an East-West Highway and light railways to bring industry to our entire state.Reaching out to encourage European companies to locate here.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Welfare needs to be limited to persons with at least 2 years residency in Maine. Benefits to be allowed for only 18 months and then a requirement of 2 years full time work before any further assistance is allowed

Name: Kenneth Wade Fredette
Date of birth : March 3, 1964, Houlton, Maine
Family :Wife Cynthia (Newport Elementary School Teacher), a daughter Morgan (a Sophomore at Nokomis Regional High School) and a son Colby (a Sebasticook Valley Middle School Student).
Residence: Newport, Maine
Political party: Republican
Employment: (Current) Private Law Practice, Law Offices of Kenneth W. Fredette, Newport, Maine; JAG Officer in the Maine National Guard; Tribal Prosecutor for the Penobscot Indian Nation; RSU #19 Middle School Soccer Coach.
Education: Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, Masters in Public Administration, 2010; University of Maine School of Law, 1994; Edmund S. Muskie School for Public Service, Masters in Public Policy and Management B.S. in Accounting, University of Maine, Machias, 1987. East Grand High School, Danforth, Maine. 1982.
Political experience: Republican Primary Winner: June 8th, 2010; District #25, Maine House of Representatives (Newport, Corinna, Corinth, Exeter and Plymouth) Nominated by Democratic Governor John Baldacci to the Maine Human Rights Commission and unanimously confirmed by the State Senate. 2008 – current. Consultant, Passamaquoddy Tribe Racino Statewide Referendum, 2008. Town of Newport Planning Board of Appeals. Alternate Delegate, Republican National Convention 2008, 1996. Political Director, Rick Bennett for Congress, 1994 Field Director, Re-elect John R. McKernan for Governor, 1990. Presidential Campaign Staff for Bob Dole for President, New England Regional Youth Coordinator, Manchester, NH, 1987-1988. Intern, United States Senator Warren B. Rudman, 1985. University of Maine System Chancellor Search Committee, Student Representative, 1985-86.
Publicly financed candidate? Traditional Financed Candidate

1. Why are you running for office?
I believe in Maine people and their sense of independence, integrity and hard work ethic. With an anticipated budget shortfall of over $1 billion, Maine needs leaders who will stand up to the "business as usual" culture in Augusta.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Jobs and the economy. I have talked with many self-employed people who are struggling to just pay their bills while those who are unemployed have had little hope for finding a job to support their family.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I would support a one percent increase in the sales tax as long as a maximum of 6 percent income tax was enacted. This would allow tourism to contribute to our state treasury Our State has an expenditure problem in that we spend more money than we can afford to raise through our current tax structure. A balance budget process must begin with reducing those costs to affordable levels without having to increase the tax burden on Maine people.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Changing the regulatory culture of Maine from being anti-business to a "partnering with business" State to maximize our comparative advantage by growing our manufacturing workforce and educating others to give Maine’s people a chance to prove our great work ethic.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
To work closely with Maine people to make the right decisions that will move Maine towards a future of prosperity, opportunity and job security for our families, big and small business and our farming community.

Name:Dean A. Cray

Name: Matthew Quinn
Date of birth : June 10, 1979
Family: Jeffrey and Susan Quinn, parents; Katherine Quinn, sister; Cheryl Kempton, girlfriend; Gracie, my dog
Residence: Cornville
Political party : Democrat
Employment : Lakewood Theater, Master Scenic Carpenter, Lakewood Theater, Director of Maintenance, Highway Department, Town of Skowhegan, Laborer/Driver (Winter Seasonal employment )
Education: B.S. in Public Administration University of Maine at Augusta, A.A.S. in Fire Science Technology, Southern Maine Community College.
Political experience : School Board Director representing Cornville on the MSAD #54 Board of Directors; School Board of Directors, subcommittee(s) member: Educational Policy & Program, Support Services, Negotiations Previously ran for Road Commissioner in Town of Skowhegan, 2009, lost to incumbent
Publicly financed candidate? : Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
Public office has always been a focus for me, and I know I have the strong voice and determination to change the business as usual tactics of our incumbent representatives. It's time the people had someone who stood up for their needs first.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Rebuilding the Economy. It is a complex problem but the three areas we need to focus on first are: abolishing anti-business growth practices and policies, insuring fair wages and benefits for current employees throughout the State and instituting attractive policies to recruit new businesses. This will aid in both new business development and business retention.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
As a carpenter, I always want to have as many tools as possible available to me to get the job done. The same would be true for me in Augusta. I do not think raising taxes is the answer, but I do not want to take any option off the table.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Again, by abolishing anti-business policies that infect our state like a disease and by instituting policies similar to other states that will make Maine more desirable. From a quality of life standpoint, Maine is second-to-none in being the best place to raise a new family, now we need the right policies to ensure that the jobs will be here for those young families.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I can't narrow it down to just one thing, but what a few things include: changing Maine's business environment from struggling to thriving through policy legislation, to return fiscal responsibility back into our state government and to reduce the emphasis on party politics and focus on the issues and doing what is right as opposed to seeing which side of the aisle brought it up.

Name: Stacey Allen Fitts
Date of birth : July 23, 1962
Family: Wife: Tina Children Spenser (22), Seth (20)
Residence: Pittsfield
Political party : Republican
Employment: Field Service Specialist - Senior Engineer, Kleinschmidt
Education : BS-Marine Engineering, Maine Maritime Academy '84
Political experience: 122nd, 123rd, 124th Maine Legislature, House of Representatives
Publicly financed candidate? No, I am Traditionally Funded

1. Why are you running for office?
Maine continues to be heading for a financial cliff, and though the proverbial train has been kept on the tracks, we have avoided making structural changes that will ensure that we remain solvent and a place where businesses and our people can prosper. There is much work to do.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Our financial situation is the biggest issue. To deal with that problem we will have to make permanent and deep changes to the structures that are State Government. We cannot tax our way out of this mess.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
NO! New and higher taxes are not the solution to our problems. We will need to rework and reinvent the entire business that is State Government. We will be forced to eliminate or restructure some popular programs and departments, reduce payrolls, and curb our borrowing habits to weather this lingering storm.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
I think one of the best ways to bring new jobs is to demonstrate that we can and will support and nurture the one jobs we have already. By making existing businesses successful, we will have an environment where job creating enterprises from outside Maine will see how they can also benefit from being located here. The carrot is the success of others.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Above all I want to work to leave the State in a better condition than it was when we start this next session. If we all did that as Legislators, we would have accomplished a lot. There is no one thing that will get us there however.
Some thoughts are:
I want to create and shape policies that enable prosperity not hinder it. We need smart, fair regulations, with customer service being a priority. A tax system that is truly reformed, not shifted onto those who can least afford it is extremely important. I want the Legislature to dust-off the report of the Joint Select Committee on Maine's Future Prosperity and get to work on several of those initiatives. I want us to continue to work towards being a less oil dependant State. The list is quite long.

Name: Evan F. Sposato
Date of birth: April 26, 1981
Family: Trudy Ferland (Mother), Royce Sposato (Father), Zack Sposato (Brother), Dustin Sposato (Brother).
Residence: 279 Somerset Avenue, Pittsfield, ME
Political party: Democrat
Employment: Self
Education: A.B. in History and Literature from Harvard College in Cambridge, MA
Political experience: None as an elected official
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running for the House seat in District 29 because Pittsfield and the surrounding communities have supported me since I was a child and this is an opportunity for me to give something back.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The biggest issue facing the state is the lack of economic growth and job creation. Maine can be attractive to a wide range of businesses, and should be a top destination for everything from wind power development to film production.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
‚ There are better ways to increase revenue than by increasing taxes. We need to focus on boosting the economy as a whole and building the tax base to keep the state government and the services it provides running smoothly.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We all know Maine as a great place to live and to raise our families, and we need to continue to build our "quality of place‚" with investments in education and infrastructure that will help attract and retain business.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
This being my first time running for public office, I expect to encounter a steep learning curve. I hope to use my inexperience as an advantage, finding alternatives to the "business as usual" mentality currently permeating our political system.

Name: R. Ryan Harmon
Date of birth: 5/9/1974
Family: wife Holly, children son Robert 11 / daughter Regina 9
Residence: Palermo
Political party: Independent minded Republican
Employment: coach, management at Hannaford Bros, investor, entrepreneur
Education: MBA Rivier College; BA in History/ Political Sci
Political experience: Palermo Budget Committee
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
To bring common sense, fiscal responsibility, back to the people of my community. My neighbors, families, retired people, small businesses, and local farms are having a hard time running on a meager budgets due to over spending and over taxation.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The lack of legislative fiscal responsibility. Small businesses, local farms, and families have continued to do more with less due to the increase in state borrowing and spending. The result is financial ruin of our economy and private property.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
‚ Absolutely No. The Maine Constitution is based on private property rights. A tax increase equals the taking of more private property via income, land property, retirement income, inheritance etc. Economic logic states , it would decrease the number of jobs.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
The private sector needs to be the main source of employment, not the state government. The state government lives off taxes. Taxes and regulations deduct vast amounts of income that could be used for jobs and reinvestment enabling job creation.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Pursuade Maine legislators to comprehend basic principles of economic logic before they vote on legislation that decimates our Maine way of life. To question themselves before voting on legislation that implants burdens of regulation, taxation, and borrowing on our children's future.

1. Why are you running for office?
I have the time and desire to help create an environment where all Maine people can live a productive life. Because of my work on the MSAD#3 School Board and the Belfast Downtown Business Group (where my business is located), I know what leadership is, and I have the ability and experience to work with diverse people and ideologies to find solutions to many of Maine's challenges.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Jobs. We need to make sure we have the conditions in place that welcome private sector companies to Maine - particularly in manufacturing. The lack of good jobs cause many of our young people to leave our state. Young people's purchasing trends help to stimulate the economy. In order to keep our communities vital and secure, we need to keep more of our young people here.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I would not support any increase in income and property taxes. However, the reality is that there will be a large budget deficit in the next fiscal year due to the sluggish economy and a state pension system that has been underfunded. We will have to keep looking for efficiencies in state government and re-examine other areas for raising revenue.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We will need to address the cost of energy and healthcare and remove barriers for private sector investment. Maine needs to provide a positive business climate for companies committed to doing business in Maine, without adversely affecting our natural resources.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I believe our K-12 education model is largely outdated, a model that was effective when it began over a century ago. With a higher than acceptable dropout rate, and with 28% of our college bound students needing remedial course work in college, we need to do better without increasing current funding levels (32% of the general fund and the biggest portion of our local property tax). I am passionate about public education and know that good education is the foundation for individual and social prosperity.

1. Why are you running for office?
I am a legislator who has worked hard, developed expertise, reached across the aisle, and understood the need for compromise. The Legislature needs such people with level heads and collaborative approaches, especially in this fiscal and political climate.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Maintaining an appropriately responsive state government in a continuing period of slow economic recovery. We must meet our obligations, both fiscal and moral while finding government efficiencies and investing in Maine's future economy.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I am trained in public health—I support attempts to raise tobacco, alcohol, and soda taxes for their impact on consumption. However, an increase in sales tax to fill a budget hole would have to be a people's ballot initiative.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
To create more jobs within Maine and attract jobs to Maine, we must increase higher education and technical training opportunities, address our high health care costs, reduce energy costs, and right size governments to reduce tax burden.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Curb medical expenditures in the Medicaid program (which largely mirror those of the entire health care system). Work to reduce avoidable and costly services (e.g. ER visits, duplicative tests), expand health information technology, and increase prevention efforts.

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running to be a voice for the people. Many of our current legislators have lost sight of the fact that they were sent to Augusta to represent the best interest of the people in their district, not just their own agenda. Many decisions being made in Augusta lately are not in line with what the majority of Mainers want.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Hands down, Jobs. Maine people need access to Employment that offers sustainable incomes with which to support their families.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No, I would not support an increase in taxes to balance the budget. I have signed the Tax Payer's Protection Pledge and will not support any new taxes for any reason. 4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine? By reducing taxes and implementing regulatory reform. Let's work toward allowing businesses to keep more of their profits to reinvest and grow their company. Additionally, a relaxation of the high number of regulatory requirements in this state would make Maine a more attractive location for new businesses, which would help to increase the number of good jobs available to Mainers.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Issues aside, as a freshman legislator my ultimate goal would be to establish a forum between myself and the constituency of my district. If elected to represent House District 52, it's the voice of the community that I would be obligated to bring to Augusta, not my own.

Name: Leslie T. Fossel
Date of birth : 10/16/46
Family: Married, 4 children, 3 grandchildren
Residence: 167 Dock Road, Alna
Political party : Republican
Employment : Owner, Restoration Resources
Education: BA, Lake Forest College
Political experience : Maine House of Representatives, Selectman, School Board, Assistant Fire Chief
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
To solve the major problems we face, including: Lack of decent jobs Runaway state budget deficits Runaway healthcare costs

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The $1 billion deficit in our upcoming biennial Maine budget.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We need to cut the cost and complexity of doing business in Maine.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want to cut the cost of healthcare. Currently we have the 2nd highest healthcare costs in the US (& the world!), yet we are 37th highest in per capita income. Fully 20% of our income goes to healthcare. Switzerland - with a completely private system - spends only 12% of their income on healthcare, yet they live a average of 5 years longer. Our performance is unacceptable. We must provide better coverage at a much lower cost. As a member of the Insurance & Financial Services Committee, the Select Committee on Healthcare Reform and the Health Information Technology Committee, I am positioned to make fundamental reforms.

Name: Lee Roberts
Date of birth: 12.Feb.1959
Family: Son, Eli Miller age 9; sister Corrie Roberts, W. Rockport; father Ed Roberts, Navarre, Fla.; mother, Alice S. Travis, deceased. Residence: Alna
Residence: Democrat
Political party:
Employment: Georges Valley High School
Education: NYU grad, USM grad school--pursuing degree in American and New England Studies
Political experience: Stuffed envelopes in Wiscasset's 1970's drinking water campaign; Sierra Club volunteer while at NYU; Democratic election campaign volunteer '04 and '08; Change That Works Health Care Reform Activist 2009
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I am pursuing a State House seat because Maine citizens too often suffer negative consequences as a result of decisions made in Augusta and I think my combination of experience, skills and interests would be useful in finding solutions.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Financial security for its citizens.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Yes.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
All roads lead to education. Until our schools are world class we will not compete successfully in the 21rst century. Teachers and students must be held accountable for their work. We must demonstrate to employers that access to our educated citizens offsets the extra costs of Maine's relative isolation.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I would be most proud if children across the state had equal access to high quality education.

Name: Susan E. Morissette
Date of birth : 10/04/1969
Family: Husband - Bill, Children- Chris, Josh, Noah and Jackie
Residence: 7 First St Winslow
Political party : Republican
Employment : Executive Director, Heart of America Quilt AOS #92 Small business development consulting.
Education: Bangor High School, attended UMA, FEMA PDS Certified.
Political experience : None
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I believe I can bring a balanced common sense approach to Augusta that reflects the needs and ideas of the people in my district.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The urgent need in our state is to improve the business climate to attract investing so that people will have good paying employment opportunities.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No. Maine people are already paying some of the highest taxes in the nation as a percentage of their income. The issue for state government is not that more taxes are needed but rather an issue of spending control and prioritization. In 2010, total state government expenditures actually increased by $193 million as compared to 2009. Since 2002, state government spending has increased by $2.333 billion (a 43% increase). Raising taxes to try and catch ever increasing spending is a formula for failure.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Improve the business climate so Maine becomes a preferred place to invest.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want my children and the children of Maine to have the opportunity to stay and live in Maine without finding it necessary to leave to realize their career goals and achieve economic opportunities.

Name: Catherine M. Nadeau
Date of birth : June 23, 1958
Family: Husband (Married 28 years) - Bob Engineer at Sappi Fine Paper (32 years) Children, - Jim (27 years old) Served in USCG Vicki (20 years old) Student at KVCC (Radiology Tech. Program)
Residence: 23 Patterson Avenue Winslow
Political party : Democratic
Employment : Currently unemployed
Education: 1976 graduate of Winslow High School 1996 graduate of Maine Medical Center School of Surgical Technology Political experience : Winslow Town Council 2002- present Winslow Sustainability Committee 2010 Winslow Capital Improvement Committee 2010 Legislative Policy Committee (MMA) 2005 -2007 Winslow Zoning Board of Appeals 1992-2002
Political experience : Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running for office because I have been involved in local politics for almost 20 years and now I would like to represent the citizens of Winslow and Benton in Augusta. I believe the experience I have gained will enable me to be an effective voice for the concerns of my constituents during these difficult times. 2. What is the biggest single issue facing the state? I believe the lack of good quality jobs is the biggest issue facing the state. This has led to high unemployment, our young people leaving the state, an increased number of foreclosures and more people being forced to turn to our welfare system. People want to be able to work and live in this beautiful state but they have to earn a reasonable income.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I would not support an increase in income tax to help balance the budget. I would support an expansion of the state sales tax aimed at collecting more from disposable income items and an increase in some items (like lodging taxes) to put us more in line with other states. However, before we increase any taxes we need to make sure that the money the state is already collecting is being spent wisely.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
I believe the state needs to become more business friendly and eliminate much of the red tape and cost associated with conducting business in Maine. We need to provide incentives and be willing to work with both large and small business to encourage them to relocate here. We also need to be able to provide a well-educated and trained workforce to compete in the high tech global economy that now exists. 5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want the citizens of Winslow and Benton to know they have a representative who will make sure their concerns are heard in Augusta. I plan to make myself available to the people I represent either in person or via telephone or e-mail. If I accomplish only one thing, I want people in my district to know that they are being listened to and their concerns are voiced in the legislature.

Name: H David Cotta
Date of birth : June 30, 1947
Family : My wife, two children and four grandchildren.
Residence: South China
Political party: Republican
Employment: Retired Military
Education: Under graduate at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Political Experience: State Representative
Publicly financed candidate? yes 1. Why are you running for office? I believe in public service and a government of the people and for the people. Our country and form of government depends on service by the citizens, not professional politicians. 2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state? Fiscal responsibility. This is reflected in the level of taxation, lack of business growth, condition of the infra-structure, and the cost of State government.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Only after State government has trimmed wasteful spending and down-sized to a level that represents efficient delivery of services.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Reduce the cost of doing business in Maine. These costs include but are not limited to: Utilities, taxes, a maze of overbearing regulations and inconsistent policies.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Reduce wasteful spending in State government.

Name: Neil L. Farrington
Date of birth : February 16th 1950
Family: Married Doreen L. Farrington in 1975 8 children, 7 adopted Ages 10 to 43
Residence: China
Political party : None
Employment : Part time convenience store cashier
Education: China Elementary school 1956-1964 Erskine Academy 1965-1968 KVTC Fairfield 1998-2000 AA degree
Political experience : China Selectman 2000-present House Candidate in 2002-Endorsed by KJ/Morning Sentinel House Candidate in 2004-Endorsed by KJ/Morning Sentinel Kennebec County Budget committee 2001-2003 KVCOG Board of Directors 2004-2008
Publicly financed candidate? No

1. Why are you am running for office?
I want to represent Maine's small business community. I'm employed as a part time cashier and have seen the financial struggles involved in operating a small businesses in this state. The current representation in Augusta is fueled by high paid union and big business lobbyist.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The future funding of the Maine State retirement system>

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
The only tax increase I would support would be money dedicated to fund the state retirement system. Augusta has balanced past budgets by stealing from this retirement fund. We need to fix this problem now instead of continuing to pay Peter with Paul's money.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Utilize our biggest asset, recreation. Lower the cost of using recreational vehicles, recreational services and recreation sites. Improve the rail system to transport more vacationers to Maine.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want to be a loud voting voice for our small business community. Business owners who are working 12 to 16 hours a day to provide jobs in Maine.

Name: Helen M. Hanson
Date of birth : June 3, 1965
Family:
Residence: China
Political party : Democrat
Employment : Direct Care Alliance, Worker Advocate
Education: Central Maine Vocational Technical Institute (now Central Maine Community College), 1985 Diploma in Graphic Arts; Personal Support Specialist 2006; Voices Institute 2008; Certified Nursing Assistant 2009
Political experience : Submitting bills to the legislature, gathering support for the bills through legislative leadership, working with the Department of Health and Human Services to streamline Maine's Home and Community Based Care System to make it run more efficiently, provide easier access, navigation and portability for those needing care, and making it easier in those same aspects for the care givers working in the system. I was a member of a workgroup put together by the Bureau of Insurance to look into the lack of health insurance for direct care workers and develop possible solutions. I have testified before many legislative committees.
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running for office because I think we can do better to attract more business to Maine. I am running because I want to ensure that Maine has a better Home and Community Based Care System that can meet the needs of Maine's elders and those with disabilities. I am running because I want to tackle Maine's tax structure, again, and see where and how it can be changed for the better. I am running because I want to work with the small businesses in my area, to help them navigate the new federal tax credits available for providing their employees with health insurance.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
I think it is the lack of good jobs that can support a family.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I think we need to look at Maine's tax structure and re-work it. I am for placing a sales tax on snack foods, on internet sales, possibly increasing the sales tax by a penny, but not on big ticket items like cars. Right now, people in my area are seeing their property taxes increase because of the state cuts to education. I think a fairer way is to increase the sales tax by a penny. That way, the tax burden is not borne by one group, but by all of us.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Bringing more and better jobs to the Kennebec Valley is one of my priorities. People in my area are suffering from this major economic downturn. We need to support area manufacturing, farming, schools and other businesses that help bring new dollars to our region, rather than sending them overseas. Kennebec Valley Community College is doing a great job of training our future green energy workforce and it deserves our strong support. KVCC is also doing an excellent job training workers for the health care workforce, from nurses to x-ray technicians, to phlebotomists. By encouraging and growing Maine-based, Maine-owned businesses, and working together, we stand a much better chance of improving our local economy.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want to accomplish a viable, available, and easy to understand Home Based Care System for those wanting to receive care at home. I want to ensure a well paid, well trained workforce to provide that care at home.

Name: Anna D. Blodgett
Date of birth : 5/11/47
Family: Husband Mike, Son Todd and daughter Maeve; Daughter Megan Garand, son-in-law Mark and daughter Maya
Residence: 13 Greenwood Court, Augusta
Political party : Democrat
Employment: Retired Parks Director for City of Augusta
Education : George Stevens Academy, Blue Hill; Husson University
Political experience: Presently State Representative - District 56 - Part of Augusta
Publicly financed candidate? Clean Elections

1. Why are you running for office?
I am a believer in public service and have always been involved in my community and I am a common sense kind of person. I have been honored to serve my district at the State House for the past two years. Learning the system and the details of issues can be very complicated and I take it very seriously. Hopefully I will be re-elected to use my experience to even better serve my constituents.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Jobs, jobs, jobs This is a national issue, not just Maine, but we all need to be vigilant, innovative and collaborative in finding ways to get Mainers working again.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I believe that the sales tax is an acceptable and fair tax to increase as well as alcohol tax increases. The tax reform bill, which was overturned by referendum, is a very complicated issue, but would certainly have helped Mainers. With some changes that were not acceptable to the citizens of Maine, I hope it can be revisited at some future time.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
I think we need to develop incentives for businesses to locate to Maine. Alternative energy generation can also bring jobs. Making the cost of higher education in the State for Maine more affordable for residents is essential to keeping these graduates in our State.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
There's more than one thing that needs to be addressed. Job creation, affordable health care for everyone, improve education, streamline government spending and welfare reform are just some of the issues. I voted to reduce the size of the legislature because everyone needs to participate in getting Maine moving in the right direction.

Name: Scott Milewski
Date of birth : December 28, 1972
Family: Wife: Carlene, Children: Karalee, girl (6), Ainslie, girl (4)
Residence: Augusta
Political party : Republican
Employment : Network Administrator, Kennebec Savings Bank
Education: AS in Applied Electronics Technology, KVCC 1996
Political experience : None
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I have grown tired of choosing between the lesser of two evils, and decided that I should stop complaining and do something about it. I am looking to help provide common sense solutions to the state's problems.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Our budget; the biggest problems with our budget are that (1) our welfare system is too generous, and (2) our business climate is not friendly to any size business, and (3) we need to revamp the state employee system.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No. The problem is not with increasing taxes. I think we have enough in our state budget and that we're just not spending it efficiently. Welfare and our state employee benefits all need to be revamped.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Improve the small business climate by (1) changing our health insurance requirement of "guaranteed issue", (2) changing our worker's comp structure, and (3) changing our tax structure

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Changing our welfare system and health insurance laws. One will help with our budget issues, and the other will help with small business, which will ultimately help with our budget issues.

Name: William P. Logan
Date of birth : 06/07/1975
Family: Single
Residence: 6 South Chestnut Street, Augusta, ME 04330
Political party : Republican
Employment : Attorney - Irwin, Tardy & Morris
Education: Wake Forest University, B.A. 1997 cum laude; University of Maine School of Law J.D. 2004 cum laude
Political experience : Treasurer, Maine Republican Party
Publicly financed candidate? Yes.

1. Why are you running for office?
We need to put the State's fiscal house back in order. Past legislatures have spent too much and passed down the bill. We cannot address the problems of the present if we are paying for past mistakes.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The budget. Past legislatures failed to set aside enough sufficient funds for obligations such as state retirement system or maintaining roads. Those bills are now coming due and will becoming increasing percentages of the budget.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No. Tax increases in the current economic climate will do more harm than good. We need to broaden our tax base through new private sector jobs, we do not need to increase to an already too high tax burden on Maine people.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We need to make Maine more competitive in the national and global market place. We can do this by streamlining our regulatory process, improving our infrastructure, and reducing our energy costs.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I would like to reign in spending and leave the State in a better financial situation than the present.

Name: Maeghan Maloney
Date of birth : April 13, 1971
Family: Married for 17 wonderful years with two magnificent sons ages 4 and 11.
Residence: 4 Drew Street, Augusta
Political party : Democrat
Employment : Former Assistant Attorney General; now I own my own business as an attorney in private practice
Education: Leavitt Area High School, Turner, Maine 1989; Swarthmore College, 1993; Harvard Law School, 1997
Political experience : None
Publicly financed candidate? Yes /Here are five questions we're asking all legislative candidates. /

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running to help the state I love! Without holding political office, I got a grant for $98,000 for my community. I want to bring this "outside the box" thinking to the state of my ancestors and my childhood.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Sustainability. Sustainability means providing for the future of our state with long-term thinking focusing on jobs, education, and health care.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
A tax increase is not needed to balance the budget. We need to start thinking outside the "tax or cut" model to make Maine great.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Small businesses employ 40% of all private sector employees. The best way to create jobs is to listen and follow the advice of Maine's small business owners. As we nourish our entrepreneurs, we will grow great jobs.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Create a long-term plan to balance Maine's budget this year and into the future without facing a crisis every year. To do this we need to look at every government program and ask if we can do better.

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running for district 58 House seat because I have the time, desire, and a keen interest in State Government. Obviously we cannot continue politics as usual. There is too much at stake for business, education and the financial well being of the tax payers.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
A very flat economy is the largest single issue as it impacts so many other issues. The lack of confidence in our states economy is stifling business growth, expansion and ultimately job creation. Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Not at this precarious time. Maine citizens are tightening their belts, making sacrifices while watching their budgets closely. State Government should be doing the same with prudent common sense decisions.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Let the free market system work! Our regulatory processes are too slow, too expensive and too unpredictable. Affordable health care is part of the equation for businesses to hire and expand. Lets make Maine a business friendly State.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
We must work together as Maine citizens no matter what our party affiliation. We must do what is right and prudent so we can leave this State better off for our children and grandchildren. That is our imperative!

Name: Emily Margaret Mitchell
Date of birth : May 11, 1980
Family : fiancée, Bill Rafuse
Residence: 1112 Riverside Drive, Vassalboro
Political party: Democrat
Employment: Attorney at Mitchell and Davis, PA and Owner/Operator Lupine Farm, LLC
Education: Princeton University, AB in English 2003; University of Maine School of Law, JD 2008
Political Experience: This is my first campaign for public office.
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running for office because I love Maine. I am passionate about promoting and protecting Maine's best assets - our citizens and our environment. I want to play a part in addressing much needed job creation, affordable health care, quality education, and staying warm in winter. I am committed to working toward a prosperous future and providing help for those who need it most.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Jobs. Maine people have a strong work ethic and are ready to work. If we can help create good jobs, we can keep families and communities together and return them to prosperity

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I would be open to creative budget balancing solutions, but a tax increase is not a cure-all and would be last on the list.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Provide more access to capital and actively promote Maine's many successful businesses showing how and why Maine can be a desirable and profitable place to operate. We can also explore providing student loan relief to young entrepreneurs to encourage start-up ventures which will grow and provide jobs.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
If elected, I want to be part of a Legislature that sees Maine through to an increased number of employed, insured, and educated citizens at the end of each session.

1. Why are you running for office?
Serving my state and its people is a great honor. It lets me give back to the state I love, and make it a better place for our children and grandchildren.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Jobs. Not any jobs, but lasting, well-paying jobs. A real, sustained recovery will take vision, courage, and work. We must think and act not towards two years and the next elections, but towards twenty years and the next generation.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
In my four years in the Legislature I have voted only for budgets that cut taxes and spending. To vote otherwise I would need to know that specific, compelling needs have been identified which cannot be met another way.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Actively promoting growing new sectors such as renewables, energy efficiency, health care, and biotech, as well as restoring the jobs I grew up with such as farming, forestry, fishing, and tourism. Ensuring the best educational results for Maine's future workforce.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
To shift our jobs thinking from "junk foods" to "balanced diets." Lasting job growth takes a great location and workforce, fair regulations and taxes, and effective energy, education, transportation, and health care systems. Maine's future requires all of these.

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running to develop public policy that promotes economic growth and job creation thru sound educational, environmental, and energy policy.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The single biggest issue is the high cost, size, and complexity of Maine government.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I do not support an overall tax increase to balance the budget. I do support reducing spending by prioritizing programs and eliminating those that we don't need.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We need to reduce the complexity and cost of doing business. In particular, the cost of health insurance and cost/complexity of worker's compensation must be reduced.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want to work with a bi-partisan Legislature and Administration to create a business friendly culture within all levels of state government.

Name: Henry Beck
Date of birth : 06/06/1986
Family: Single
Residence: 26 Prospect Street Apt. 2, Waterville
Political party : Democratic
Employment : AAA Northern New England
Education: Waterville High School; B.A. Government, Colby College
Political experience : Waterville City Councilor, 2006-2009; State Representative, 2008-present
Publicly financed candidate? Traditional

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running for office to provide reasonable and responsive leadership for the community and state in which I was raised and in which I have worked in both the public and private sector. I believe in public service and the common good.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
People are hurting thus we have a great tax sensitivity contrasted with legitimate needs in our communities. In the next legislature, elected leaders and the public must have an honest conversation about our options together.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I am weary of any broad based tax increases. I voted with Democrats to lower personal income taxes and with Republicans to cut taxes for small businesses.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
I voted for business tax cuts that move Maine people from welfare to the workforce and I also voted for the jobs package. We need a higher education package and a similar emphasis on rewarding hard work.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want to protect community health and mental health services vital to Waterville and Oakland. Overall, I want to be a representative who has experience and credibility, and who knows this area because it's where I was raised.

Name: Mark McNulty
Date of birth : 09/16/1988
Family:
Residence: Colby College
Political party : R
Employment : Student
Education: Colby College Political experience : College Republicans
Publicly financed candidate? No

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running for office because I believe that Maine has a chance to be great. I believe that a change in leadership and vision is the only way that we can accomplish that in Augusta.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Jobs, jobs and jobs. In order for Maine to continue on as an attractive place to reside there needs to be a drastic change in the jobs and business environment.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I never believe that increasing taxes are good policy toward balancing a budget. Trimming spending and using common sense policy changes to increase revenue through the current tax structure are the most prudent paths towards balancing the budget.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We could bring more jobs to Maine by reforming the corporate tax structure and creating a more predictable and amicable environment for entrepreneurship and big business. Some reforms could come in the form of emulating the type of corporate environments seen in North Dakota and Texas, the only state which has fared fairly well during the economic crisis. Cutting red-tape and bureaucracy are always steps in the right direction towards enhancing a private business environment.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want to accomplish reforms which will keep jobs and the young people in Maine. Maine is not only a tourist attraction it is a state with some of the most vast and untapped resources including its own citizens. I believe that changes in tax laws could ultimately bring a flourishing new business economy to the state.

1. Why are you running for office?
Past legislatures have not been focused on the important issues like making Maine and attractive place to work and raise a family. Our state government is bloated, inefficient, and I believe headed in the wrong direction. I believe I can help.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Obviously the biggest problem is that we need to improve the job climate. Also our welfare programs need to be changed to encourage and require able bodied recipients into the workforce. Residency requirements would need to be implemented.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I would not support a tax increase. Previous legislatures have obligated Maine taxpayers to more than we can afford to pay. Maine taxpayers and businesses are already overtaxed to where most businesses will not locate or expand in Maine.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Maine can compete, but first the legislature must create a climate that makes us competitive with our neighbors like New Hampshire. Just drive across the border into New Hampshire and you will see growth and opportunity in motion.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
My Focus would be toward changing the direction Maine has been headed in for longer than I have lived. Maine is in big trouble Financially and must reduce spending if it is ever going to regain any of its tax base.

1. Why are you running for office?
I have a long history of serving the communities in which I live - and I want to continue in the Maine House of Representatives. While I was still in high school I served in the Maine National Guard. After graduation I entered the U. S. Marine Corps and served for 3 years during the Korean War. In addition to my political experience (noted above) I have been a fire fighter in 3 Maine communities, an advanced EMT, and active in many state and local voluntary organizations. I know first hand what the people of Maine face every day and think that I am in a position to represent them.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
I don't think that there is a "biggest single issue." There are at least three "big issues" before us: (1) balancing the budget and avoiding new taxation in these difficult economic times, (2) attracting business to Maine and creating employment opportunities for our residents, and (3) addressing the rising cost of health care. These three are closely interrelated and finding ways to make progress, to improve the economic situation in Maine, rather than looking for quick solutions is what I believe to be the greatest challenge facing the Legislature at this time.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No, although I believe that a close look at the tax burden that Maine residents bear is in order. We need to look closely at the State's sources of revenue (as well at expenditures) and ask which taxes are appropriate and which are overly burdensome. It might well be that a careful analysis would support an increase in some taxes but this should be with a corresponding decrease elsewhere.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
I believe that we need a more concerted and aggressive recruitment. We need, in the analyses that I have suggested above, to ask how significantly taxation and/or health costs have an impact on businesses currently operating in Maine or on our ability to attract new business to Maine. We also need to streamline the processes by which businesses (whether already operating of seeking to open) find their way through the maze of licenses, permits, inspections, etc. In short, we need to make it easy and pleasant - not a chore - for businesses to open and operate in Maine.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I don't have all of the answers - the problems are too complex. I would like to be part of a process that moves Maine forward, that begins to alleviate the problems that we face (see the three "big issues" above and add energy to the list) and to capitalize on those things that are working well. One specific thing I would like to accomplish is to encourage communication and cooperation between State and Municipal officials so that our efforts complement each other.

Name: Bob Nutting
Date of birth : 03/18/1947
Family: Wife Wendy, 3 Children, 5 Grandchildren
Residence: Oakland
Political party : Republican
Employment : Pharmacist for Walmart
Education: B.S. in Pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston Political experience : 12 years Oakland Town Council, 10 years State Representative for Oakland and Sidney
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I enjoy people and working to improve Maine government. After all the years of support from the people of Central Maine, and my family, offering to spend some time improving their lives seems like the least that I should do.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The budget for state government is too high. We need to cut non-essential programs and layers of management, reduce our welfare roles, and attract taxpayers to live in Maine. Taxpayers, who make everything possible in government, are leaving in droves.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No. . .No. . .No. . .Raising taxes will worsen this recession and increase unemployment. Leaving more money in the hands of Maine's working men and women is the way out of the mess that we find ourselves in.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Maine isn't a friendly place to locate a business. Many rules and regulations are unnecessary burdens that I'll work to remove. Private businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and government needs to stop regulating them to extinction.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want to lead Maine government to a sustainable budget that will provide only those services which government can do better than the private sector, while funding our constitutional duties to pay off the debt and the retirement system.

1. Why are you running for office?
I am a concerned citizen and I have grown tired of legislators who don't listen to their constituents and spend money we don't have. So, instead of complaining I decided to do something to change the status quo.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The size and scope of government. The expansion of public sector jobs combined with over-regulation has suppressed private sector jobs. We must reverse this by encouraging American exceptionalism, whereby expanding the private sector and bring back real jobs to Maine.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No. Spending in Maine has been out of control and needs to be reined in. It's time to run the government as any small business or household and spend within our means.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Reduce taxes and restrictive regulations placed on businesses, then get out of their way and let them (the businesses) create private sector jobs.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Reduce the size of the legislature to save money.

Name:SHARON TREAT
Date of birth: 1956
Family: ROBERT COLLINS, partner
Residence: Page Street, Hallowell
Political party: Democrat
Employment: Executive Director, National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices
Education: Law Degree, Georgetown University; AB, Public Policy, Princeton University
Political experience: State Representative 2006-10 and 1990-96; Senator 1996-2004. Senate majority leader 2002-04; Assistant Senate Leader 2000-02. Currently House Chair, Insurance & Financial Services Committee, member, Maine Citizen Trade Advisory Commission.
Publicly financed candidate? YES

1. Why are you running for office?
I can improve the lives of Maine people. As a capable, experienced legislator, I've passed laws: helping families negotiate to avoid foreclosure; establishing a "healthcare bill of rights;" lowering the cost of prescription drugs; banning retail fees on debit cards.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Jobs & the economy. The national recession hit Maine hard with high unemployment and many people just getting by with seasonal and part time jobs that don't pay well and lack benefits.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
My preference is to balance the budget without tax increases. It's irresponsible to say "never" without knowing the severity of revenue shortfalls. All options - restructuring, cutting services, eliminating tax breaks, raising revenues - may need to be on the table.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Manufacturing jobs in clean energy, nursing & pharmacy, research and biotech are bright spots. Expand community colleges in these areas; improve transportation and broadband access; cut healthcare & energy costs; redirect obsolete tax breaks to fund innovative business assistance.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
The Affordable Care Act gives Maine flexibility and funding to set up our own health insurance exchange. By the end of 2012, I want all small businesses and families to be able to easily purchase basic, affordable insurance in a Maine-specific exchange.

Why are you running for office?
I have lived most of my life in Maine. It is a wonderful place to live with its four seasons and beautiful terrain. Maine has afforded me a good working career. I want to be part of a team in Augusta that will insure that my children and grandchildren will have the same opportunities that I had.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The balancing of the state budget. The challenge is going to be to reduce spending to match revenues.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No! The problem is not lack of revenue. We need to reduce state expenditures. Maine's government is much larger per capita than many of the other states. We need to look for non-essentials and waste and become more efficient at the necessary functions.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
The answer is to cut taxes and reduce the regulatory burden on Maine businesses. Small businesses are the life blood of Maine. Only two other states are more anti-business than Maine. If we want to attract good paying jobs to Maine, we must offer an atmosphere that will get the attention of the entrepreneur and business decision maker.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Balance the state budget without a tax increase. Maine is already one of the highest taxed states (on a per capita basis). We certainly do not want to add any more taxes. We really should focus on reducing them. There is a saying, "money goes to where it is treated best". Well, I say businesses (and therefore jobs) will locate where they are treated best.

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running for office to be the voice of my district in Augusta. I want to look out for the best interests of all the people in my district and the communities which I will be serving.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The economy is the biggest issue the creation of well paying jobs is what will help to stimulate the economy.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I would support some tax increases in certain areas such as on items that would be considered luxuries. This however may allow for the reduction of some taxes in other areas. A sensible balanced approach needs to be used to balance the budget.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Bringing jobs to Maine is always a challenging question. If it had a simple answer, it would have been done already. I would first focus on trying to preserve the jobs we currently have. The creation of jobs is not the only answer. The more important question that needs to be answered is how can we create jobs that will pay a living wage? We must encourage the growth of industry back into Maine.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I would like to be directly involved in making sensible, well thought out changes in education. We have seen a revolving door approach to education reform in the state of Maine and across the country. Education needs time to make changes and if new methods are being introduced before the last change has a chance to work we will never see the results of the work put in to improve education for our children.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
I was asked to run by neighbors who are hungry for meaningful change. I agreed to run because I believe that as a naturally pragmatic outsider, I can be more flexible and more effective at creating different outcomes.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
We don't have "one big issue". We have a host of interrelated issues that require coordinated solutions, including economic development, tax reform, energy policy, education, and implementation of federal health care reform legislation.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I'd love to say no, but I honestly don't know yet. Absolutely everything will have to be on the table. Meaningful Tax Reform /acceptable to the people/ eluded us last session- we've got to get it right this time.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We need to capitalize on our assets, our outstanding quality of place and abundant natural resources, and find ways to support and modernize sustainable natural resource-based industries. We need to invest in infrastructure, education, and research & development.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I'd like to help Maine become more energy independent. This is an attainable goal that will result in a more stable economy and a brighter future in the long run.

1. Why are you running for office?
Maine is facing serious budget woes as a result of the "great recession" and I believe that my background in finance and investments will serve as excellent background to help find solutions that are desperately needed. Four years on the powerful Taxation Committee gives me additional experience. We need legislators with business acumen more than ever and I offer my candidacy for that purpose.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The biggest challenge facing Maine is our constitutional requirement to balance the state's budget while fostering an economic environment for growing good jobs. As stated above, my professional background in finance can play an important role in addressing this matter. Additional serious issues include the "race to the top" in the education arena and the growing dependency of our citizens on a highly burdened welfare system.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
My answer would be a resounding NO. Further, I still would not support a shifting of the tax burden to the local communities and school districts. This was done during the last legislative session with cuts to revenue sharing, lowering the homestead exemption, cuts to the tree growth program and most importantly, cuts to state support for education.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We could enact true tax reform and lift the regulatory burdens that make Maine one of the worst states in the country in so far as the business climate is concerned. We need to be able to attract good, clean new business and it is nearly impossible with our current perceived attitude that business is bad. Maine's quality of life is fantastic and we have superior resources. Both characteristics should foster positive development. Our people are industrious, hard-working and they need an opportunity to use their skills. Promoting alternative energy sources to lower the cost of power would also be a great stimulus to promote job growth.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I would like to help the next Governor to change the direction of this state so that our children will want to stay here in Maine rather than seek the proverbial greener pastures existing elsewhere.

1. Why are you running for office?
To help manage the State's finances and budgeting processes and to continue collaborative leadership in the Legislature hopefully with my third term on the Appropriations Committee. I enjoy helping people within the district and statewide.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The need to instill hope for our People - by creating an optimistic environment where businesses become excited about investing in Maine. This will generate jobs, revenue growth, and economic stability.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I don't think so; haven't thus far. At the outset of a 3-month budgeting process it is too simplistic to focus on taxation options. Saying "no" at the outset is a stronger strategy to encourage necessary scrutiny.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Install the more stable federally-backed health care system within Maine faster than neighboring states, thus attracting investments to our growing health, arts, recreation, and technical services sectors. Explore/encourage energy cost reduction.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Continue to promote a collaborative environment where legislators of all parties work together to get things done. I would like to be in position to facilitate another strong consensus state budget proposal by the Appropriations Committee.

Name: Craig V. Hickman
Date of birth : December 8, 1967
Family: Jop Blom, Physical Therapist
Residence: 192 Annabessacook Road, Winthrop
Political party : Democratic
Employment : Organic Farmer and Owner, Annabessacook Farm B&B and Organic Farm Stand
Education: Harvard University, AB cum laude in Government
Political experience : 2010 and 2008 Democratic State Convention Delegate; 2008 Democratic National Convention Delegate; Winthrop Caucus
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I'm an organic farmer running for the legislature because I cannot sit on the sidelines while corporations destroy our environment, poison our food supply and harm our health with petroleum-based and chemical fertilizers, toxic pesticides, and genetically modified organisms.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
According to many of the people I've talked to in Readfield and Winthrop, the biggest issue facing the state is the exodus of our children upon graduating high school or college to search for jobs they cannot find in Maine. We must make it easier for small businesses to grow so that we can create the jobs right here that our young people seek elsewhere.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
We cannot raise taxes on Maine's hardest working families in order to balance the budget nor can we rob from Peter to pay Paul. We must streamline bureaucracies and cut wasteful spending.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
By doing away with the costly and burdensome regulations for small farms and small businesses that defy common sense, barricade our growth and disallow us from creating new jobs. We need real competition, not state control. Whenever possible we must also buy local, buy local, buy local. Strengthening local economies means creating local jobs.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I will fight to revise the Maine food code to make wholesome, local food more accessible and therefore more affordable. The health of our families and communities depends on it. I need your vote on November 2. Let's enrich this community from the ground up.

1. Why are you running for office?
I want to use the knowledge and experience I have gained over the last two legislative sessions and my twenty five years of public health work to address the important issues confronting us today: jobs, the economy, health care and education.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The biggest issue facing our state is jobs. I am very committed to retaining what jobs we have and finding ways to create new jobs. The bonds passed this June will help create many jobs in construction, energy efficiency and transportation.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
If after all the accounts are scrubbed clean and it's absolutely necessary to preserve critical services, I'd consider a time-limited time one cent sales tax to balance the budget.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We need to nurture a well educated workforce in order to perform the jobs we have now and in the future. We need to reform our tax structure, lower our income tax and we need to streamline business regulations.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want to see every person in the state have access to health care and dental care. I want to make the national Health Care Act work for all Mainers.

Name: DENNIS L. KESCHL
Date of birth : July 5, 1947
Family: Constance F. Keschl (Wife) Dennis Kurt Keschl (Son) Thomas M. Keschl (Son)
Residence: 1024 Wings Mills Road: Republican Belgrade, ME 04917
Political party: Republican
Employment : Town Manager, Town of Belgrade, ME - 2006 to Present Maine Air National Guard(retired Lt. Col.), - 1979 to 2007 Administrative Director, Maine Public Utilities Commission - 1997 to 2006 Technical Services Division Director, Maine Public Utilities Commission, - 1995-1997 Director, Bureau of Air Quality Control, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, - 1988 to 1995 Division Director, Operations & Maintenance, Bureau of Water Quality Control, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, - 1985 to 1988 Bureau of Water Quality Control, Maine Department of Environmental Protection - Environmental Services Specialist II and IV, - 1979 to 1985
Education: Bachelor of Arts (1969): Mathematics and Physics (Mansfield State College, Mansfield, PA), Masters of Science (1979): Environmental Science (Rutgers's University, Cook College), Maine Air National Guard: Air Command & Staff (1996), Squadron Officer's School (1989), Aircraft Maintenance Officer School (1985)
Political experience : Never held and elected position
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
To help create a state where our citizens can live, work, and retire and our children can too!

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
A poor economy that leaves many of our citizen's unemployed or under-employed, forcing many to look for increased governmental assistance and that requires our youth to search for employment opportunities out of state.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
We need to lower income taxes, provide for real tax reform that stabilizes our state's revenue, create a smaller more efficient government, and stop shifting state costs onto local property taxes. Increasing our tax burden will not build prosperity.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
By decreasing income taxes, improving the regulatory climate and our transportation infrastructure, and supporting new technologies that create more and better opportunities for gainful employment.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
To rebuild people's trust in the Legislature and belief that it works in their best interests, not those of a particular Political party or philosophy, and serves its citizen's real needs while putting the word service back in "public service".

1. Why are you running for office?
Out of concern for our Children's and Grand Children's future. They are facing a lost future unless we make changes of the way we do things in Augusta. We are facing a 1.2 billion short fall in January we will need common sense and business sense in Augusta. It will not be an easy task to tackle, but one that has to be done.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The answer is the economy and budget shortfall, but to fix it we must create an atmosphere for the private sector to produce jobs, work on welfare reform, restore fiscal sanity, lower energy costs, and reduce health care costs.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
To balance the budget, my goal is not to raise taxes, but to create an atmosphere that lets the private sector create new jobs and bring back old jobs. We should not be trying to balance the budget on the backs of the working men and women of Maine.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
I believe that government does not create jobs, only the private sector does. If we lower taxes and eliminate excessive business regulations, it will result in more jobs and higher wages. We need to work on keeping the businesses we have and open the door to new ones.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Let us accomplish the one thing that our State motto says and make "Maine, the way life should be"

Name: Aaron Blaschke Rowden
Date of birth : March 23, 1986
Residence: 4 Cottage St., Fairfield, ME
Political party : Common Sense Independent
Employment : Searching
Education: J.D., Georgetown Law; B.A., Philosophy, College of the Holy Cross; Maine School of Science and Mathematics
Political experience : None
Publicly financed candidate? No

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running for the position of Representative for District 84 because Maine needs a government that will put common sense over ideology and will do what is right rather than what is merely expedient.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The single biggest issue facing the state is managing our response to the current economic situation so as to minimize harm in the short term and to maximize the opportunities for growth that the recovery will bring. This must be accomplished through rigorous commitment to trade, job creation, and education.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I would not support a general tax increase to balance the budget. While having a balanced budget is a worthwhile goal that the next legislature and governor must act to achieve, balance must be struck by making tough choices and examining what works, what needs improvement, and what must be cut. Balancing the budget is about increased responsibility of the government, not a penalty passed on to the people.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
In order to bring more jobs to Maine we must create an environment friendly to business. To make such growth sustainable, we must also protect our resources and use them responsibly. Both of these goals can be accomplished by moving Maine forward on the path of becoming a leader in renewable energy and information technology. Appropriate tax incentives for businesses coupled with the creation of strong, healthy, and educated local workforce will bring jobs to Maine.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
If elected, I wish to make sure that education in our state is both available and meaningful to every student. I hope to establish a program whereby a high school diploma will represent real training backed by a vocational certification for those who intend to enter the workforce straight out of high school.

Name: Robert Sezak
Date of birth: 08/26/1952
Family: Nancy Ferris, Mother; Norma Larsson, Partner
Residence: Fairfield
Political party : Democrat
Employment: Self-Employed
Education : BS Public Administration
Political experience: Currently: Alternate Member, Fairfield Planning Board; The Economic/Community Development Advisory Committee, Fairfield; Business Finance Committee, Fairfield; Previously: 3 years Fairfield Budget Committee; 6 years Fairfield Trustee Kennebec Water District ; 6 years Selectman, Town of Troy.
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running for office to take common sense to Augusta. A previous legislature made mercury a hazardous waste in an effort to improve our environment. The same legislature then attempted to outlaw incandescent lightbulbs, all but mandating the use of compact florescent lightbulbs which require mercury to run. It was this contradictory action that inspired me to run for office.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Tax reform remains the largest single issue facing the state because of how it affects the budget. The tax structure needs to be re-tooled. Some of the previous tax reform bill made economic sense. I believe that tax reform must be a policy and structure that best promotes the well-being of the citizens of Maine.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Our spending policies must work in conjunction with our tax policies in order to achieve a balanced budget. The first thing we need to do is to eliminate income projections. We need to look back over the past few years and see what our income-to-expense ratios have been. We need to see real numbers in real time in order to determine a functional budget. A zero-base budget method should be implemented because it is indifferent to whether the total budget is increasing or decreasing. This common sense budget method needs to be in place before any discussion of a tax increase.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
The jobs are here. We can create jobs from our own Maine resources and entrepreneurial spirit by lowering energy and healthcare costs; Developing clean energy sources to expand the green economy; Expanding agricultural and aquacultural infrastructure; Making greater utilization of ports for exporting goods; and Promoting statewide tourism. Our ability to create jobs through our own willpower and resources will be the engine that builds our state and brings prosperity to Maine.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
A common sense budget system integrated with an equitable tax structure.

Name: Paul Leo Tessier
Date of birth : April 1, 1939
Residence: Fairfield
Political party: Unenrolled
Employment: Retired Military
Education: BA - Colby; MSW - U. of N. Carolina, Chapel Hill
Political experience: Fairfield Budget Committee, Fairfield Planning Board, Fairfield Town Council, Maine House of Representative
Publicly financed candidate? No, traditional candidate

1. Why are you running for office?
I have substantial political experience and knowledge and eight years ago successfully completed six years representing this district in the Maine House of Representatives. I would like to see Central Maine grow economically. Utilizing this expertise, I would be a positive force in the Legislature to move us in that direction.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The biggest issue facing Maine is the need to create and/or retain good paying jobs and having an educated workforce to fill them. This is the platform that will help address the rest of Maine's difficulties. A fully employed workforce will lessen the budget crisis we face periodically as citizens spend their income and feed economic growth. However, jobs and the trained workforce to fill them go hand-in-hand. Both must be address concurrently.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I would support a tax increase only if the budget had been cut to the point that our most vulnerable citizens were being disenfranchised. I personally saw program expansions when we had a budget surplus. We need to see program contractions as well when these surpluses disappear. There should be no talk of tax increases until this contraction is complete.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
First we must concentrate on what jobs we currently have, insure they remain, and reach out to employers to see if production can be increased to support additional employees. Secondly, we need to encourage entrepreneurs from within and outside the state to establish their businesses here in Maine. The full force of our business incentive programs should be brought to bear. Most importantly we need to assess our barriers to establishing and running businesses in Maine and address them.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Central Maine is neglected by the State in regards to economic development. We see incentives handed to areas that already have low unemployment. Somerset County has one of the highest unemployment rates and one of the lowest per capita income in the State. Yet, we have not received the economic development attention we deserve from the State. Strong leadership with knowledge of how the system really works in Augusta is needed. History has showed that I can provide just that.

1. Why are you running for office?
I'm running because I would rather fight for what is right than to sit back and let the current policies of today's career politicians go unchecked. Grumbling about Augusta has never accomplished anything. It's time to act.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
‚ Our financial instability. The current "tax and spend" policies must come to an end. A government must be run like any responsible household. If we don't have the finances to spend, then we must cut spending.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
In a word, NO. What we don't need is to place a larger tax burden on the people of Maine. That's why I'm running for office. We've had enough. Let's cut wasteful spending instead of raising taxes.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Reduce the taxes and unnecessary regulations on small business so they can actually afford to higher Maine employees. Let's stop the government from hindering our neighbors who dare to follow their dreams of owning their own business.

Name:Jeffrey M. McCabe
Date of birth: 11/1/1977
Family: Wife two preschool age children
Residence: Skowhegan
Political party: Democrat
Employment: Director of Lake George Regional Park and Registered Maine Guide
Education: Bachelor Degree from Unity College and
Political experience: One Term in the Maine House, Member of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry committee, Chair of the Skowhegan Planning Board Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I have always been committed and proud of the community I live in. I have received an amazing amount of support for my reelection from independent, democrats, republicans and green party voters because of my record and commitment to Skowhegan locally and in Augusta. It is this support and encouragement that led to my first run and has led me to run again.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Jobs- We need to create more jobs, train our work force for the jobs we have and must prepare for a turn over in our aging work force.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
As a last resort yes and only if I felt it would help lower property taxes. We cannot balance the budget and burden our school districts and municipalities further. Increasing property taxes is not option for citizens and property owners in Central Maine.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We need to do more to promote our creative economy, natural resources and tourism opportunities in the State of Maine. We need to work with the business we have and recruit new businesses, to do this we need to be prepared to work to help business with what can be a burden some regulatory climate. Our regulations must protect the people of Maine and our environment but must be clear and reasonable. For example a business like Back Yard Farms in Madison must be able to grow its products, facility and job opportunities with the support of the State and not the State being a road block. We must work with business not against business.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I will continue to push our natural resource based economy to grow opportunities and jobs. My tract record is one that supports a balance between jobs, environment, local agriculture and regulation. The next five years will shape what the state of Maine looks like for our children.

Name: Philip A. Curtis
Date of birth : May 20 1942
Family : Wife, Deanna, three grown children and seven grandchildren
Residence: 93 Blackwellhill rd. Madison 04950 Political party: Republican
Employment: Self, Maine Local Roads Consultant
Education: Graduated, Madison High School 1960
Political experience: Madison Selectman 7 years, road commissioner 7 years, Director Madison Electric Works 5 years,Maine House of Representative 6 years, Assistant Minority Leader 2 years.
Publicly financed candidate? No

1. Why are you running for office?
To serve the people of Madison,Norridgewock and Solon, to do my part in making Maine a better place to work,live and play.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Years of spending more than we can afford, promising more than the State can pay in retirement and health bennifites. Balancing the State budget.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Reduce the tax and regulations on the business of Maine. Create a business friendly Maine.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Develope a State budget from the amount of revenue collected the past year not from the projected revenue we think we will recieve in the next two years.

Name Benjamin A. Doty
Date of birth: June 23, 1989
Family: 2 parents, 1 brother
Residence : 1236 East Madison Road, Madison
Political party : Democratic
Employment : Sales Associate at New Balance Factory Store
Education : Completing fourth year of BA at UMO (Political Science and English double major)
Political experience : I have volunteered—knocking on doors, making phone calls, protesting—for many causes, among them marriage equality, stopping the Iraq war, the Employee Free Choice Act, and the Democratic Party
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
After having spent a stretch of time abroad, I've come to appreciate just how special the state of Maine really is. I would relish the opportunity to preserve this, and make the state an even better place to live.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The budget. Repeated shortfalls have forced harsh cuts on us which hurt everyone, from the student who needs an extra bit of attention to the couple who worry about heating their home in the winter.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Within the context of a balanced budget—if other revenue-raising devices had been considered and enacted—I would support modest tax increases on out-of-staters and the very wealthy to get us through the current economic downturn.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
By taking advantage of the fact that we are the largest, least urbanized state in New England to become the region's home for tourism, farming, fishing, wind power, and other natural resources.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
The most urgent thing right now is to get people back on their feet after the financial crisis. I would like to create incentives to bring more employers to the area—much like what brought Backyard Farms.

1. Why are you running for office?
To change the new age philosophy of the way the government is run, stop the entitlement mentallity and make people responsible for themselves.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Over taxation and way to much government and regulations.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Absolutely Not!

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Reduce taxes, reduce govenment, reduce regulations.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Downsize Government.

1. Why are you running for office?
We are facing complex issues with no easy simple solutions. There is a need for respect and open communication that bring about results that are in the best interest of the people we serve. My broad and extensive civic, volunteer and work experience can help to find solutions.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The state budget promises to provide the biggest challenge.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Not at this time. Responsible leaders will consider all options, expenditures and revenues and the affects on their home districts, as we work toward an acceptable budget compromise in the next legislature.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Investments in education at all levels, making hi-speed internet available throughout Maine and improving the state's transportation infrastructure would all go a long way to keeping and attracting employers offering challenging jobs with livable wages to Maine.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
My goal is to continue to be a good representative for my district, one who residents feel comfortable to approach with their concerns. Good communications go along way in building trust and solving issues.

1. Why are you running for office?
I am at a point in my life where I have the time to offer my skills and experience to help in creating a better Maine for our children. I have often contemplated running the Maine Legislature but did not have the time to do so.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The budget shortfall is the elephant in the room. There are other extremely important issues including how to best educate our children and economic growth, but the lack of money impacts them all.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Not at this time. We need meaningful tax reform that includes cuts at all levels of government.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Less regulation of small business. Small businesses create most of the jobs in Maine and small business owners bear a heavy regulatory burden. We need to establish policies that encourage business growth, not impede it.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Help to create an environment that encourages economic growth in Maine.

Name: LARRY C. DUNPHY
Date of birth: 9 MAY 1952
Family: 3 CHILDREN / 7 GRAND CHILDREN
Residence: EMBDEN
Political party : REPUBLICAN
Employment: MADISON PAPER INDUSTRIES
Education : NEW HAMPSHIRE TECHNICAL COL.
Political experience: NONE
Publicly financed candidate? Y

1. Why are you running for office?
The people of Maine are in desperate need of leadership and common sense problem solving. Our elected officials have forgotten that they are elected to REPRESENT and SERVE the people, not create bigger government which dictates to the people. I want a future for my children and grandchildren, and I want that future to be in MAINE.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
I believe that we have a number of "BIGGEST" issues.. WELFARE REFORM BUDGET REFORM OVER TAXATION TO MUCH REGULATION AND GOVERNMENT CONTROL

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
ONLY as a last resort. Our government needs to be held accountable for every cent of taxpayer's money they take from our pockets .Tax money is OUR money, not the governments money, and I believe the people want our money spent wisely

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Less regulation, lower taxes, tax incentives, a willingness of government agencies to work with and help business instead of creating obstacles, educational programs designed for job specific needs. Less "SELF SERVING" elected officials and appointed commissioners.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
If I could pick only ONE thing, it would be to truly represent ALL of the people in District 88. The voices of Maine people have NOT been heard in Augusta, and I believe I can be that voice.

1. Why are you running for office?
Having been born in Farmington here and lived here in Maine all my life I have seen fisrt hand the economic devastation the region has suffered. I believe failure to solve this problem will farther weaken the Farmington area and leave our children in a worse competitive position than we are today.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Budget shortfalls and the looming pension crisis are the biggest issues that the next session will face. We need though to come to grips with the issues that have led to job loss and keep us in a competitive disadvantage with the rest of the country.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Everything will be on the table this next session. I do not support looking for tax increases as the primary focus no. That said if the federal government ties our hands again in relation to social service eligibility (as happened when we accepted the stimulus package)then all bets are of on the solutions needed to overcome the budget shortfall. We are obligated to balance the budget and we have a looming pension hole to pay back as well as federally mandated requirements in many other areas.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We need to lower the corporate tax rate and Income tax rate. Instead of playing games with Pine tree zones and a variety of tax breaks our message should be clear to business. If you come to Maine and succeed you get to keep more of the fruits of your efforts. That and we need to stabilize our regulatory process worse that over regulation is instability Business needs stability they need to know a deal today will be honored tomorrow.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Job Creation that and we need to put our fiscal house on a sustainable path for the challenges of the 21st century. With a looming federal debt crises states like Maine who have been maneuvered their budgets to maximize federal matching funds will find themselves with greater and greater budget holes when the federal money begins to dry up. This is going to be not only the problem of Maine but throughout the country.

1. Why are you running for office?
My career and years of public service give me first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing Maine. My practical experience and a sense of duty drive my desire to serve my community by working with state and local leaders to find solutions.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
We need to look at the big picture, not just one issue. The need for more business and industry in Maine is vitally linked to unemployment, rising local taxes, crumbling roads, high energy costs, unaffordable health care, and struggling schools.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Improved efficiency and budget cuts may not be enough to balance the state budget. I would consider supporting tax reform measures that increase some taxes and decrease others to meet public demand for a more equitable system.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
By simplifying regulations and permitting, decreasing energy costs, maintaining a well educated workforce, and giving incentives for job growth, we can promote innovation, manufacturing, agriculture, forest products and tourism.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Farmington and Industry have needs that are unique from southern and coastal Maine, but our need for jobs is just as great. As we work to repair Maine’s economy, I will work hard to ensure that Western Maine is not forgotten.

Name: Russell Black
Date of birth : May 14, 1953
Family: Wife, Susan Black Register of Deeds for Franklin County- 4 children
Residence: Wilton
Political party : Republican
Employment : Self Employed Farmer, Logger and Building Contractor
Education: Mt Blue High School, Wentworth Institute, C.M.C.C.
Political experience : 19 yrs Wilton Planning Board-6 yrs Wilton Selectmen-5 yrs USDA County Committee
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I feel that I have the experience and common sense to help solve the budget problems in Augusta and help to lower taxes.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Lack of jobs

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No. we need to look for Departments and other areas that we can trim and cut back on

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
I think that high taxes, over regulation and high energy cost are keeping businesses from coming to Maine or expanding. I think we have a land base and natural resource that would support a lot more jobs.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I think legislators need to listen to the people in their districts, follow through on their ideas in a bipartisan way to lower taxes and improve the business climate.

Name: Irving Faunce
DOB: September 20, 1945
Family: Spouse is Jan Collins - Seven children, six grandchildren
Address: Wilton Blueberry Farm, 83 McLaughlin Road Wilton 04294
Party: Democrat
Employment: Retired from career in senior management of healthcare facilities, Former Director of Operations, Western Maine Community Action Current owner/operator of Wilton Blueberry Farm and site manager for 82 High Street, non-profit provider of affordable housing.
Education: BA Degree - Colby College
Political experience : City Councilman and Mayor, Gardiner; Board of Directors, MSAD #11; Current Selectman, former member Planning Board, Town of Wilton; Appointed by three different Governors to: Maine Human Rights Commissioner (Gov. Longley), Board of Environmental Protection (Gov. King), State Board of Corrections (Gov. Baldacci)
Publicly Financed Candidate

1. Why are you running for office?
My years of local and statewide government and public policy experience provide excellent background for me to get to work quickly on the important issues facing Maine. I am particularly concerned about the shifting of tax burden onto local government and the property tax. We cannot ask more of the property taxpayer. I will work to develop tourism on a four-season basis, support small business and job creation and further develop the Franklin County Community College Network that I have been part of since we created it in 2005. Careful siting of future wind power development is a priority. education needs support and increased state funding.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Revenue to support the education, social safety net and infrastructure needs of this state. Revenue comes from an adequately trained workforce that draws investment and jobs; tourists and visitors; and research and development to Maine thereby generating economic activity.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
All ideas must be on the table in order to generate an adequate, balanced budget to serve the people of Maine - disciplined spending; tightly monitored social service provision that serves those who need a "hand up" not a "hand out;" affordable healthcare efficiently delivered; and decisions on strategic and wise investments in our future.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Investments in our University and Community College system that will assure that we are providing education and training that match the needs of prospective investors in Maine; Maintain our "Quality of Place" through protection of our natural resources and maintenance of transportation infrastructure and energy delivery so that investments here are, in fact, wise business decisions.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Make the responsible and hard decisions in Augusta and stop shifting the burden to regional and local governments and property taxpayers.

Name: Thomas B. Saviello
Date of birth: 8/29/50
Family: Widower, 2 Adult Children, one old dog
Residence: Wilton
Political party: Republican
Employment: Manager Special Projects
Education: Bs Forestry University of Tennessee, MS Agronomy University of Maine, PHD Forest Resources University of Maine
Political experience: # term Wilton Selectmen; Former MSDA #9 School Board Director; State Representative District 90 four Terms
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
The people of District 18 deserve a Senator who will fight for new jobs and opportunities in Western Maine. I want our regional concerns to be at the forefront of every debate in Augusta.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
JOBS. We are battling to preserve our economic future. The next Legislature must be proactive in bringing new opportunities to the State, and must empower Maine entrepreneurs to grow and create new jobs.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No. Instead, we need to revisit every government program to ensure they are being held accountable to the taxpayers, and are being run efficiently and effectively. Eliminating waste and cutting duplicate programs will save money, and protect taxpayers for paying even more.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Tax cuts for all Mainers—not tax shifts—so Mainers can invest in our local economy and help small businesses grow. I also support a stable and predictable business climate that preserves our environment without stopping real economic growth.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want Maine to become a more business friendly state, where jobs are created are Mainers can work to raise their families, while protecting our most vulnerable neighbors, and preserving our special places we call home.

Name: Ann Woloson
Date of birth: 12/27/61
Family: Married to Bob Steinberg, 2 children: Hanna, age 17 and Maia, age 12
Residence: Belgrade Lakes, ME Political party: Democrat
Political party: Democrat
Employment: Nonprofit Executive Director, Prescription Policy Choices
Education:
Political experience: Past Chief of Staff for Maine Senate Majority Office
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
People living in District 18 want fresh and credible representation in Augusta; someone who will lead and work hard to address issues people are concerned about including jobs, taxes, financial security, education funding, affordable health care and the environment.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Keeping and attracting good paying jobs — We need to invest in education and training to rebuild our economy to help our kids and families stay in Maine, help the unemployed find work, and bring badly needed revenues into the state.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I would not support a tax increase unless widely supported by people and businesses in District 18, to preserve jobs, schools, access to health care, public safety, veteran and safety net services, and only after other savings initiatives are explored.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We should focus investments in education and businesses which show real growth potential in Maine, including health care, renewable energy, care for our aging population, and agriculture, and develop proposals and initiatives to help small business owners thrive.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want to help stabilize Maine's economy and promote financial security by strengthening Maine's workforce and enhancing education and business opportunities to ensure our kids, families, retirees and others who want to stay in Maine, are able to do so.

Name: Seth Goodall

Date of birth: March 17, 1978

Family: Married

Residence : 5 Church Street, Richmond, Maine 04357

Political party: Democrat

Employment : Attorney

Education : University of Connecticut, B.S. and M.S; University of Maine School of Law, J.D.

Political experience : Former Chair of the Town of Richmond Selectboard

Publicly financed candidate?: Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
To help make Maine a better place to live, work and do business, while improving educational and job opportunities.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Job creation. Maine needs to create an improved business climate that has an educated workforce that fosters job creation and economic development. Until we improve our economy, we will continue to face budget shortfalls for years to come.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Now is not the time to raise board-based taxes in order to balance the budget. The next Legislature must work in a bi-partisan, solution-orientated fashion, which will require a thoughtful, public review of all programs, in order to balance the budget.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We must reduce our income tax, lower our cost of energy and sustainably manage our natural resources in order to attract additional capital investment to Maine, while continuing to improve educational opportunities to prepare our children and workforce for the future.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Represent my constituents well by working across multiple policy areas that helps strengthen our economy and improve educational and job opportunities.

Name: David Kaler
Date of birth:10/03/39
Family:Sandra E. ( wife) Marnie (daughter) Katahdin (grandson)
Residence:Bath
Political party:Republican
Employment:Retired
Education:Morse High, SMCC, Lib/Arts, History
Political experience:4 years as selectman
Publicly financed candidate?Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
Was recruited and accepted with pleasure.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Far too much money being spent. STOP THE SPENDING, PERIOD.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Only when cuts to match are fully in place.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We are "Over Governed, Over Regulated and Over Here." Far and away we are burdened with far too many agencies that turn businesses away. That in turn relates to higher taxes.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Bring the two Maines together. Everything north of Bangor is like a foreign land. Build a Turnpike from say , Jackman to Machias to open the Canadian provinces to commerce. A toll road like the Maine Turnpike. Right now Maine is more in-tuned to the East than the West: Iowa, Texas, Washington state or D.C.

Name: Christopher Johnson
Date of birth: 12-30-1956
Family: My wife Valarie, daughters Amanda and Danielle, their husbands Dillon and Keith, and grandchildren Adelaide and Calum
Residence: 3230 Turner Ridge Rd, Somerville, ME
Political party: Democrat
Employment: Director of IT at a small software and consulting firm DeskNet Inc.
Education: BA in Physics, University of Maine, Orono
Political experience: Local: Somerville School Committee, moderator of Somerville town meetings 11 years, RSU#12 Board
Publicly financed candidate? yes

1. Why are you running for office?
To make Maine's future better than today. Finding solutions to problems facing Maine's people will require practical, responsible, thoughtful, and non-divisive consideration of the options and their merits. We need substantive debate, planning and follow through, not posturing and ideology.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Unemployment/underemployment. It creates an immediate hardship for the unemployed and their families. But a lack of jobs also means a shortage of consumer spending which has an impact on businesses, the local economy, and state revenues.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
I would have to weigh the impact on Maine people of further program cuts versus the impact of the proposed tax increase. If it were the best for Maine people, I would.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
a) Identify kinds of businesses that provide quality jobs, are consistent with Maine's values, and offer long term viability, and plan ways to attract them here.
b) Do more to support common needs of local independent small businesses.
c) Streamline and publicize state services for small businesses starting up.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Many answers to that question can be found at www.chrisjohnsonforstatesenator.org - but above all - to bring statesmanship, not partisanship to Augusta.

Name: Daniel (Dan) Schweitzer
Date of birth: 6/27/1968
Family: Amicably Divorced - Bachelor
Residence: Westport Island, Maine
Political party: Unenrolled - Independent
Employment: Merchant Mariner and Small Farm/ Business Owner
Education: B.S Resource Development, University of Rhode Island
Political experience: Three years as the Legislative Officer for a Non - profit 501 -c, known as Maine Professional Driver's Association,
Publicly financed candidate? NO tax dollars are being used in my campaign.

1. Why are you running for office?
Maine taxpayers want independent thinkers to challenge the special interest groups which have hijacked government. The 'experience' page of my web site www.independent4senate.net describes in detail how I have successfully challenged powerful special interests here in Maine.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
We must take immediate action to attract responsible industry and manufacturing businesses. These businesses represent the best opportunity to broaden our tax base, create quality jobs, and reduce personal income and property taxes.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
NO. But we may have to issue more bonds to keep our infrastructure attractive to business and industry. Attracting capitol and labor intensive industry is key to controlling personal and property tax growth.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Maine needs: 1) Tort Reform - too many frivolous law suits. 2) Insurance Reform - we must listen to our medical providers & reduce costs. 3) N.I.M.B.Y. Reform -Establish simple criteria for separating legitimate from frivolous objections.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Simultaneous tort and insurance reform. To make it fair and reasonable, we must require both of these necessary, but often parasitic, industries to make changes. This reform will remove mountains of paperwork and many unnecessary regulations from our lives.

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running to hold government accountable to the voters. The single most enjoyable part of serving in the legislature has been to work with my constituents to help them improve their lives or to solve pressing problems. I have a reputation for hard work and a persistence that has served me well as I tackle the many challenges facing my constituents.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Poverty. There is a tremendous financial inequity between southern and coastal Maine and many of the inland parts of the state. Little to no growth in the economy has highlighted this fact with poverty rates in some areas like Somerset, Aroostook and Washington Counties rising to nearly 20%. We must find a way to bring economic opportunities to all parts of Maine, if not, skyrocketing costs and a dwindling economy will bankrupt all areas of Maine. A good start would be to revisit the 2006 Brooking's report recommendations and seriously consider investing in what will draw business and young people to our state.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
The first thing we need to do is recognize that the "we" in the question is not government, but the people. So my first priority will be to continue to bring an end to regulations that punish Maine's small businesses - which is why I led the successful fight to repeal the 102 tax increases in tax reform and why I will continue the fight against efforts like a saltwater fishing license. In addition, I believe that we must retool our current public infrastructure to better align it with our current needs, including our Community College System and University system. Specifically, I will continue to support a nursing school at the Miles Hospital facility, as well as support expansion to other healthcare related jobs. This site could become a community college in the future.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I led the effort to repeal the recently enacted tax reform law that I felt unfairly taxed small business and the working class. I will sponsor legislation that mirrors the Brooking's report recommendations and cut the highest tax rate for working class Mainers by 25%. I want to give the working people of Maine earning up to $45,000 a plan that is fair, simple and free of gimmicks.

Name: Earle McCormick
Date of birth: 17 Dec 1942
Family: Wife Darlene, 4 adult children, 6 grandchildren
Residence: 633 Hallowell Road, West Gardiner, ME 04345
Political party: Republican
Employment: Retired
Education: BS (Meteorology) St Louis University, St Louis, MO; MS Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA
Political experience: Maine House of Representatives 2003-2006; Maine Senate 2007-2010
Publicly financed candidate?
Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
As a parent, educator and small business owner I will work to: improve job opportunities so our children can work and prosper here, provide more educational opportunities within Maine and create a business climate change that encourages small business.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Creating a budget in January with a projected revenue shortfall of $500M to $1B.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No. We should be able to agree on a budget without raising taxes.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We know what we must do to improve the business climate in Maine for businesses currently here and to intice others to relocate here from away. Reduce regulatory structure, reduce the tax burden, improve transportation system and provide a highly educated and trained work force.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
The most recent study shows Maine ranked 39th out of 50 states in business friendliness. I would like to see us make the changes necessary to place us in the top 20.

Name: Patrice Putman

Date of birth: December 9, 1954

Family: Husband Jerry Casey; children and stepchildren: Brendan, Erin, Meredith, Sean, Allison

Residence : Winthrop

Political party: Democratic

Employment : MaineGeneral Health

Education : AS Nursing, SUNY Morrisville; BS, Boston State College; JD, Boston University School of Law

Political experience : 7 years, Winthrop Town Council

Publicly financed candidate?: Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
Central Maine needs strong advocates in the state house who can get things done. We need people with vision and determination who can work together across party lines to jumpstart our economy and take advantage of our many unique opportunities.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Jobs. Maine needs to be clear about what we want and then make decisions that will get us there. If we want small businesses to thrive here, then our regulations need to be simple to navigate and ultimately support small businesses.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No. I believe we can make smarter choices about how we use our tax dollars. We know $1 spent on prevention saves an average of $9 in healthcare. Whether we are talking healthcare, transportation, or education, smart investments save money.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
1. Reduce the red tape small businesses need to work through. 2. Protect our environment and quality of place — that's why people want to live here. 3. Make sure our workforce is well educated, healthy, and ready to work.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
A vibrant economy that flourishes in a well protected natural environment.

Name: John Piotti
Date of birth: 1/30/61
Family: Wife, Susan; daughter, Anna (16); son, John (13)
Residence: Unity
Political party:Democrat
Employment:Executive Director of Maine Farmland Trust
Education:Degrees in engineering, public policy, and management from M.I.T.
Political experienceFour terms as state representative for House District 45; Chair of Agriculture Committee; Chair of Taxation Committee; Chair of Special Select Committee on Maine's Future Prosperity; House Majority Leader
Publicly financed candidate?Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I am running because I believe I can make a real difference in the Senate. Maine's priority right now needs to be economic development, which has been my professional focus for over 20 years. As a Senator at this point in time, I feel I can make a major contribution to Maine's future prosperity.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
The economy. While some of the impact of the recession has subsided nationally, experts have predicted a slow and uneven recovery. As lawmakers, we will need to find ways to help our citizens and businesses weather the storm, while forging a path for future prosperity.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Tax increases won't solve our budget crisis. We've worked in the last legislature to refocus spending and remove inefficiencies. We need to continue on this path while also pursuing a more stable revenue system.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
We need to revamp our tax system and simplify regulations that stifle small business. The State must also continue its support for product innovation, education, and public infrastructure (notably roads and bridges), which are so important to business in Maine. The faltering economy is no reason to lessen these needed investments.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I feel strongly (after 22 years of owning or working in support of small businesses in Maine) that the state should put far more energy into helping existing businesses grow than trying to attract businesses from away. I see great opportunities within our traditional natural-resource based businesses. Farming, fishing, and forestry (and associated businesses) can play as big a part in our future as they once did in our past.

Name: Michael Thibodeau

Date of birth: 7/16/66

Family: Wife, Stacy; 2 daughtesr, Megan and Sara

Residence : 169 Coles Corner Road, Winterport, ME

Political party: Republican

Employment : Business Owner

Education : Graduate of Hampden Academy, 1984

Political experience : two terms as State Representative, House District 42; Winterport Selectman

Publicly financed candidate?: Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
Maine needs smaller, smarter government to attract new jobs and achieve real economic recovery. This must be our goal, and every vote I cast in the Senate will be weighed against the impact it will have on Maine's taxpayers and entrepreneurs.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Our state's public debt crisis is putting Maine families at tremendous financial risk. Maine's public debt crisis now totals more than $11,500,000,000—an amount our children and grandchildren will have to pay, unless we act soon.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No. Maine cannot tax and spend its way back to economic recovery. We must fundamentally reform costly and wasteful budget-busting government programs, and we must reduce taxes for all Maine businesses and taxpayers, not pick new winners and losers.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Unleash Maine's entrepreneurs. We can empower small business owners to create new jobs by cutting the bureaucratic red tape stifling economic recovery. Let's get government out of the way to let businesses grow and create new jobs.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want to turn Maine into the Opportunity State we all know it can be.

Name: Patsy Garside Crockett
Date of birth: June 15, 1940
Family: Husband, Robert "Bob"Crockett, 2 sons Jon & James Crockett, 3 Grandchildren Jessica, Sarah and Christopher
Residence: 14 Smith Street, Augusta, Maine 04330
Political party: Democratic
Employment: Retired John Hancock Financial Services and Retired Lobbyist
Education: graduate Cony High School, Augusta, Maine
Political experience: 2 terms in the Maine House of Representatives- House District #57
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
During my two terms in the House I have sponsored legislation on issues ranging from prison reform, government efficiency, patients rights, PACE that brought $30 Million federal money for energy efficiency programs. I have made a difference in Maine peoples lives and I believe I can do more in the Senate.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Lack of jobs. I will work for Tax Reform, lower cost of Health Care, lower cost of transporting goods for businesses and work to reduce energy costs. We also need a better trained workforce to attract businesses to Maine.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
If after public hearing on the budger and after cuts that the majority of the legislature support we still need revenue to support services that Maine people want I would support a temporary sales tax increase.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
Reduce the cost of health care, energy costs, and lower income tax. Also review tax credit programs and regulations. I have sponsored legislation for Tax Reform, to change our gas tax, reduce energy cost and improve health care and I will continue to work on these.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Pass Tax Reform that lowers the income tax and provides more stable revenue by expanding the sales tax base. I have sponsored legislation to consolidate services and will continue to promote efficiencies. We have LD #1 to control spending and now must reform an outdated tax system.

Name: Roger J. Katz
Date of birth: January 17, 1949
Family: Wife-Birdie, children-Jonathan and Shari
Residence: 3 Westview Street, Augusta, Maine
Political party: Republican
Employment: Partner - Lipman, Katz & McKee, P.A., Augusta, Maine
Education: Cony High School, Harvard College and Boston University Law School
Political experience: Two term Augusta Mayor
Publicly financed candidate? Yes

1. Why are you running for office?
We are in danger of being the first generation to leave Maine worse off than we found it. With the high cost of taxes, energy and health insurance, and a broken welfare system, we are losing jobs to other states. I'm running to help change that.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Our business climate and jobs. We are all tired of seeing our young people forced to leave Maine for good job opportunities elsewhere. Yet we continue to pass laws that make it tough for businesses to flourish here. We need change in the Senate.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
Almost certainly not. The state's tax burden is already too high. Also, the discontent with any increase at this volatile period of time would yield a dramatic backlash - making it even more difficult to fund necessary state services. There are ways to save money - including reducing the size of the legislature itself.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
It's all about creating the right environment. We have the ability to lower health care and energy costs, reduce our income tax rate, and strengthen our higher education system. We have a beautiful state and most people want to work hard. If we do these things, we can compete with anyone.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
Fundamentally changing our approach to welfare. Trying to be all things to all people, we hurt those most in need. We need to impose residency requirements, time limits for benefits and incentives to work for those on general assistance.

Name: Thomas H. Martin Jr.

Date of birth: Waterville, Me

Family: Kaitlyn 16, Connor 13, Pet: French bulldog named Panda

Residence : Clinton Avenue, Benton ME

Political party: Republican

Employment : NITRAM Excavation & G.C., Inc.

Education : Lawrence High School Fairield, Me, CMTC Auburn ME

Political experience : Past President of the Maine Better Transportation Association and American Public Works Association Maine Chapter.

Publicly financed candidate?: Clean Elections Candidate

1. Why are you running for office?
I want to make a difference in how our State is managed and help put Maine on a sound fiscal path. We have to change course to stop the exodus of jobs and bring industry back to Maine.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
It is a tie. We need to stop the overspending, and we need to create an economic environment that fosters and encourages job growth for Maine people.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
No, we cannot tax our way to prosperity. I would like to see a reduction in the tax burden in order to encourage jobs and economic growth. That is the best way to restore Maine's fiscal health.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
That's the million dollar question. We need a tax structure and serious regulatory reform that will help businesses succeed in Maine and reduce the "brain drain". We must invest in basic infrastructure and prepare our children for higher paying jobs.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
I want to bring common sense to Augusta to change the direction of state government. The only way to sustain crucial programs and services is to strengthen our economy by making Maine welcoming and supportive of private sector job creation.

Name: Pamela Jabar Trinward

Date of birth: 2/28/1954

Family: husband John, daughters Kate, Misty, and Andrea, son JT and daughter-in-law Sarah, grandson Felix

Residence : 117 Silver St Waterville, Me 26 years

Political party: Democrat

Employment : Office Manager Castine Energy Services, Inc

Education : University of Maine Orono

Political experience : 4 year House of Representative, Chair of Legal and Veterans Affairs committee, 8 years Waterville Board of Education Publically financed: yes

1. Why are you running for office?
I've been honored to serve as the Representative for House District 77 — part of Waterville — for the last 3 1/2 years. As a committee chair I have been involved in all aspects of the legislative process. I believe my experience as a Representative, committee chair, School board member, small business owner and parent provide me with the necessary tools to best serve the people of Senate District 25.

2. What's the biggest single issue facing the state?
Job creation and retention, absolutely.

3. Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?
The next Legislature will face enormous challenges. There are no easy answers, no quick fixes. In these difficult economic times it's simply short-sighted to increase the tax burden on Maine citizens. I'll work tirelessly to find creative and effective solutions that will lead us through these difficult times.

4. How could we bring more jobs to Maine?
I'm absolutely committed to making sure that we continue to provide top notch educational opportunities to all our young people — because a skilled workforce is the critical first step to creating and retaining the kinds of jobs we need right here in central Maine.

5. What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
To best represent the needs of my constituents by, among other things, working effectively with legislators, municipal representatives and a host of other stakeholders to ensure that the Maine communities are not crippled by drastic cuts to revenue sharing as we ride out this recession.