Age: 23
Residence: Winterport
Party: Republican
Present employment: Self-employed and partner in a telecommunication consulting company
Highest level of education completed: Dual bachelor’s degrees in Christian entrepreneurship and digital marketing
Previous elected public office(s) held: None
Statement: I’m running to bring truth, common sense, justice, integrity, economic recovery and liberty back to the State of Maine. My campaign is focused squarely on the biggest problem facing Maine now, the fact that our state is becoming increasingly unaffordable for people of average means. Mainers paid $556 more for essential goods and services in July 2022 than the same month last year. For the average family, that translates into $6,670 more this year than in 2021. We need to focus on policies that lower costs and make Maine more attractive to young workers who want to settle here, live, work and raise a family.
What are your thoughts on proposals to do away with Maine’s income taxes?
State government has grown larger while family budgets have gotten smaller. This year, Maine over-collected $1.2 billion from Maine taxpayers. Some of it was returned in the form of $850 checks. Readers can speculate whether that would have happened in a non-election year. We need tax reform that lets people keep more of their hard-earned money and make their own choices on how to spend it. We should lower if not eliminate the income tax.
When it comes to the state budget, what do you see as top priorities for spending or cuts?
The state budget has grown to approximately $9.5 billion, nearly $2 billion more than the last LePage budget. Maine has received $18 billion (state, local, other) in COVID-related relief funds. Our top priority is to ensure that when those funds are gone that we do not wind up short of money, then expect taxpayers to bail us out. That means addressing true needs rather than wants. We need policies that strengthen small businesses and the economy to improve the quality of life for everyone instead of fostering greater dependence on government. We need a culture that values work and encourages investment by entrepreneurs.
How can Maine best make health care affordable for its citizens?
Stop pursuing policies designed to get workers to drop employer-based insurance coverage in favor of taxpayer-funded, government-run health care. People need more options, more choice and lower rates. Competition offers consumers more choices, lower rates and higher quality health care.
What policy changes would you support to protect the environment and respond to climate change?
The state has been an active partner with local communities in building climate resilience. That is particularly important in coastal and intertidal communities. I am also interested in how we can help municipalities fight invasives like brown-tail moth, ticks and emerald ash borer to name a few.
Would you vote to support a woman’s right to obtain an abortion?
The SCOTUS decision did not change Maine law. I personally support life, including areas that extend well beyond the abortion issue. I do not believe most Mainers are in favor of taxpayer funded abortions.
What changes would you like to see in the way police do their jobs in Maine?
Maine is one of the safest places in the country to live, work and raise a family. That is an important factor in getting people to stay or move here. I do not want the radical anti-police agenda to take hold in Maine. Our law enforcement professionals need to be supported and respected so that our best and brightest choose a career protecting and serving us.
