Age: 69

Residence: Brooksville (Harborside)

Party: Republican

Employment: Retired

Education: High school, some college

Previous elected positions: None

Statement: I believe that along with the rights we are born with, we have a responsibility to protect those rights and be active as citizens in the running of our state and country. That is the reason I joined the Marines. I realized that as I got older, our government had grown too large and overbearing and that I had not been doing my part as a citizen. I would like to get the government back to its original purpose. I would like to have the government remember that they work for “We the People,” the words that start both the state and federal Constitutions. I would encourage people to start talking to each other and not be so divided. I want to represent all the people in District 16.

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

I believe Maine is heavily taxed overall. I realize there must be taxes to run the state, but I would like to review all taxes and expenditures. I am sure there are things that could be changed to make things more efficient. The state is a business. It takes in money, it provides goods and services and it spends money. It should be run like a business.

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

I have not seen the budget, so I am unable to give an educated answer to this question.

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

The government is not really good at running anything outside its central role, and I do not believe it should be involved in health insurance. When I was young, the doctor would come to your house, provide medical services and sometimes leave the medication. He would charge some small amount and be gone. Government-sponsored health care caused my insurance to go up despite their claim of doing the opposite. When a company contracts with the government, the product always costs more than in the civilian world. There are already systems in place for those in need. Why not go back to the free market system of purchasing insurance. This would drive the prices down by competition. People should be responsible for their own health care needs.

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

Yes, the climate is changing; it’s nature. I believe this country is ahead of the game as far as acting on it. I do not believe some of the things that are being forced on us are the answer. Why do the people that yell the loudest still have beach houses and still fly everywhere in their planes if this is such an immediate problem. I seem to remember that Manhattan should be under three feet of water by now. This is another topic that should be discussed with honesty and actual science.

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

This is a hypothetical question as Maine already has a law in place, Title 22, Subsection 1598. As this is a highly personal subject, if such legislation were to be proposed, I would have to refer back to the people who elected me. It would have to be their decision.

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

As far as the police in Maine, I have not had the opportunity to personally be involved with them as I try to obey the law. If there are specific areas of concern, I am unaware of them and if something needs to be addressed, I will work with my constituents to resolve it. I would hope the laws would be enforced as they are written and adjudicated by a court of our peers.