Age:  69

Residence: Rockland

Party: Democrat

Present employment: Self-employed

Highest level of education completed: Master’s in information management

Previous elected public office(s) held: State Representative, Knox County Commissioner

Statement: Pinny believes deeply in the inherent worth and dignity of every person. That philosophy has inspired all her decisions. It prompted her to run for the Maine House in 2015, where she served three terms as a State Representative for District 93.

During her three terms in the Maine Legislature (2014-2020) and over the course of her public service career, Pinny has learned that communities solve problems by working together. Her legislative successes — from mental health to child abuse, or drug sentencing — gathered diverse factions, and crafted policies and laws uniting those voices, strengthening individual lives, as well as building community services for future generations.

Pinny’s top priorities as senator will be health care for all, reproductive health, increased and accessible mental health treatment, and ensuring that funding for schools is fair and equitable. She also intends to continue her work protecting marine resources and reforming criminal justice.

What are your thoughts on proposals to do away with Maine’s income taxes?

I don’t support doing away with Maine’s income taxes, but I would support a review of the fairness relative to the diversity of our population.

When it comes to the state budget, what do you see as top priorities for spending or cuts? 

The top priority is providing more and better access to behavioral health services, across all ages. Also, we should look at alternatives for our heating and energy costs.

How can Maine best make health care affordable for its citizens?

The state needs to subsidize more health care costs by expanding health care insurance programs, increasing access to those programs and decreasing the stigma around addiction.

What policy changes would you support to protect the environment and respond to climate change?

I support the governor’s clean energy initiatives, including offshore wind, solar energy and helping homeowners and business owners increase efficiency in their properties.

Would you vote to support a woman’s right to obtain an abortion?

I believe all women have complete jurisdiction over their bodies and their health. It’s an absolute inviolable right. I support the efforts that have been made by the governor to expand legislation to protect that right. As Gov. Mills said, “A woman’s right to choose is just that – a woman’s, not a politician’s.”

What changes would you like to see in the way police do their jobs in Maine?

First, we need to have a shared philosophy throughout police departments and Maine citizenry about the role of policing in Maine. Second, we need to recognize that police officers are called whenever anyone is afraid. Officers and departments need to have appropriate training and staffing to deal with the panoply of reasons they are asked to respond.