Party affiliation: Democrat

Date of birth: December 30, 1947

Hometown: Farmington

Occupation: Attorney

Education: Bachelor’s; JD degree, University of Maine Law School

Community organizations: Farmington Historical Society; Farmington Grange; Mt. Blue Public Access TV; Clearwater Lake Association; Margaret Chase Smith Foundation Board; Emblem Club

Personal information (hobbies, etc.): Reading, photography, history, cooking

Family status: Married; five step-daughters; three grandchildren

Years in the Legislature: Four

Clean Election candidate?: Yes

Committee assignments: Appropriations Committee; chairman, House Ethics Committee; Judiciary Committee, Criminal Justice Committee, Regionalization Committee, House Rules Committee

1. I want to fight for western Maine to see that we get our fair share of jobs, economic incentives and funding for schools, for the hospital and for our university campus. I am a strong believer in small business, in helping seniors and veterans and getting things done for my constituents.

2. Improving the economy of western Maine, supporting education, attracting good paying jobs with benefits, providing quality affordable health care and prescription drug coverage for seniors and providing tax relief so that our young people will be able to stay in Maine, raise their families and pursue their careers here.

3. Maine’s tax burden is high and our incomes low. We need aggressive economic development, investment in research and development and fewer regulations and taxes on small businesses. TABOR, however, is very complex, lengthy and confusing. I am concerned about its impact on our schools and the effects of TABOR in Colorado.

4. I support existing state laws which define marriage as being between a man and a woman, which prevent unfair discrimination and which balance the interests of society, the rights of the unborn child and the rights of the pregnant woman. I do not favor gay marriage. I am pro-choice.

5. Like Sen. Woodcock, I originally supported Dirigo. In 2006, we both voted against expanding Dirigo because it is not financially sustainable. I would limit it to the uninsured and consider a voucher program. The Quality Forum should stay. I support health savings accounts and competition in the health insurance market.

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