Party affiliation: Democrat

Date of birth: August 29, 1949

Hometown: Leeds

Occupation: Registered Holstein dairy cow breeder

Education: Leavitt High School; University of Maine at Orono

Community organizations: Maine Farm Bureau, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Androscoggin Land Trust

Personal information (hobbies, etc.): Red Sox baseball, golf

Family status: Married; two children; two grandchildren

Years in the Legislature: 14

Clean Election candidate?: Yes

Committee assignments: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; chairman, Natural Resources, Criminal Justice

1. I hope I am re-elected to the Senate because I can get things done. I’ve developed skills to work effectively with people of differing views, and I am not afraid to stand on the other side of my own party when I feel strongly that there is a better way.

2. I intend to repeal the governor’s failed school funding formula, deliver tax reform that works for small towns, not just big cities, and put an end to the municipal discharge of raw sewerage into our waterways, a dirty secret that adds more pollutants than either Maine industry or Maine agriculture.

3. TABOR was born of justifiable frustration. School funding increased $292 million, but the money went to cities and wealthy suburbs. Rural Maine received no property tax relief whatsoever from Governor Baldacci’s “solution”. TABOR, however, would be extremely destabilizing. Similar legislation in Colorado was devastating. I will oppose TABOR.

4. I think these polarizing issues will play a lesser role during this election. While abortion and gay marriage are important issues, worthy of debate and discussion, they should not distract us from crucial issues, such as tax relief, creating a better business climate, education, health care and a safer environment.

5. Dirigo was a good first step. Now, we need a few more choices, and to make plans more affordable for low-income and attractive to low-risk Mainers who opt out of the insurance system, raising costs for everyone. Dirigo must continue rigorous negotiations with health care providers to obtain lower rates.

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