Party affiliation: Democrat

Date of birth: December 19, 1945

Hometown: Lewiston

Occupation: Legislator and psychology professor

Education: Bachelor’s in English, Bates College; master’s and Ph.D. in social psychology, George Washington University

Community organizations: Board member and past chairman, Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care; board member, Public Theatre; chairman, Lewiston Zoning Appeals Board

Personal information (hobbies, etc.): Traveling, writing

Family status: Single

Years in the Legislature: Four

Clean Election candidate?: Yes

Committee assignments: Natural Resources, Education and Cultural Affairs

1. I want to continue working with my colleagues to assure effective representation of Lewiston’s interests in Augusta and effective response to our Lewiston constituents.

2. My top priority is furthering Lewiston’s economic and job growth by expanding access to quality education from preschool through higher education, and by continuing the cleanup and revitalization of the Androscoggin River.

3. Among other reasons, I oppose TABOR because TABOR limits are synchronized with the consumer price index, which does not accurately reflect the services that must be purchased by state and local governments; and majority wishes may be blocked by a minority, and a cumbersome, expensive process to exceed TABOR limits.

4. To me, the most pressing social issues are fulfilling basic human needs: food, shelter, warmth and adequate health care. Maine citizens should not have to choose among these essentials. Nondiscrimination and a woman’s right to choose – both of which I support – are important, but should not overshadow human necessities.

5. Dirigo Health is a good start toward filling a serious gap: lack of adequate, affordable health care. Dirigo provides coverage to previously uninsured or underinsured people and has already resulted in health care savings. Overly optimistic initial predictions by proponents should not detract from Dirigo’s actual accomplishments.

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