LEWISTON – Both Republican and Democratic voters in some Androscoggin County state legislative districts will elect their respective party’s candidates for the coming fall elections during primary voting on Tuesday.
Here’s a short breakdown on where the races are and the candidates running for their party’s nominations, along with a short question-and-answer segment for each candidate.
House District 57, which comprises Greene and Sabattus
Republican incumbent Rep. Stephen Wood faces challenger Gerard Tardif.
Stephen James Wood (incumbent)
Age: 53
Address: 576 Sawyer Road, Greene
Occupation: Registered Maine Guide, J&S Guide Service
Education: Some college
Family status: Married, three children
Previous elected experience, if any: Sabattus Board of Selectmen, nine years. Maine state representative, six years.
1. What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent?
My extensive legislative and community service experience make me better able to serve my constituents.
2. Why are you running for office?
As my grandfather used to say, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
3. What specific problems facing the constituents in your district would you hope to find solutions for as a lawmaker?
To try and stem the tide of increasing taxes and government interference.
4. What is your best personality trait?
My ability and willingness to listen to my constituents.
Gerard Tardif
Term limits and school funding.
I am a people person who can listen. I have a very friendly personality.
Auburn House District 62
Democratic incumbent Rep. Gina Melaragno faces challenger Brian Bolduc.
Gina Melaragno (incumbent)
Age: 42
Address: 25 James St., Apt 3, Auburn
Occupation: Behavioral technician
Education: Associate degree, University of Southern Maine
Previous elected experience, if any: Have served one two-year term in the Maine House of Representatives.
1. What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent?
I look for practical ways to improve the lives of Mainers, like submitting legislation that raises wages. My bill is the blueprint for the (upcoming) minimum wage referendum. With a 100 percent voting record with Maine Conservation Voters, I hope to protect our children and grandchildren from the adverse effects of climate change.
2. Why are you running for office?
I want to see things get better economically for all Mainers. . . I want to raise awareness that people in our own town live in poverty, and that it doesn’t need to be that way. I hope to be a catalyst for being more proactive at the state level to alleviate economic inequality.
3. What specific problems facing the constituents in your district would you hope to find solutions for as a lawmaker?
Poverty. Poor access to health care. Worsening climate change.
4. What is your best personality trait?
Persistence in the belief that we can make things better in Maine.
Brian Bolduc
Address: 54 Riverside Drive, Auburn
Occupation: Educator
Education: Master’s in education, University of New England
Previous elected experience, if any: Has previously been elected to the Maine House of Representatives and Androscoggin County register of probate.
1. What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent?
No answer.
2. Why are you running for office?
I’m running for office to continue to work on the following issues:
* Economy: We must support growth of local businesses and draw new companies to the area, creating 21st-century jobs.
* Education: A quality education for our citizens will create the workforce necessary to attract more investment and job opportunity for Maine.
* Environment: Assure that the Androscoggin River will contribute to the economic development of our region.
3. What specific problems facing the constituents in your district would you hope to find solutions for as a lawmaker?
No answer.
4. What is your best personality trait?
No answer.
House District 64, which includes part of Auburn and Minot
Democrats Bettyann Watson Sheats and Candy Gleason face off to be their party’s nominee for the fall elections.
Candace (Candy) Gleason
As a teacher of speech and debate for 40 years, I am uniquely prepared for the argumentation necessary as a legislator. One of my strengths is negotiating, finding common ground with people of dissimilar views. In today’s polarized political landscape, this skill is crucial in getting anything done.
2. Why are you running for office?
I am from Maine and proud of it, but our state is a mess right now. Taxes. Health care. The economy. I want to help fix it. I care deeply about people and I don’t shy away from conflict.
3. What specific problems facing the constituents in your district would you hope to find solutions for as a lawmaker?
* Education. State laws have ruined our educational system.
* Opioid addiction. We need funding for more treatment centers.
* Health care. Medicaid expansion.
* Economy. We need to attract businesses such as wind and solar power to replace our fallen paper mills.
* Welfare. Reform is needed and I favor work for welfare.
4. What is your best personality trait?
Even when it isn’t popular to do so, I tell it like it is. Always have. I will be a good legislator because of how deeply I care, how well I argue and how hard I work. I don’t give up. That determination will benefit the people I represent.
Bettyann Watson Sheats
Age: 54
Address: 32 Waterview Drive, Auburn
Occupation: Owner of Finishing Touches Shower Doors
Education: 1984 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point
Family status: Married to George for 28 years, with two children, a daughter in grad school and a son in college.
Previous elected experience, if any: None. I ran for the same seat in 2012 and 2014 (where I lost by fewer than 70 votes).
Legislative experience: I was an active citizen in successfully passing the Kids Safe Products Act, which banned BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups. If voters would like more information, my Facebook page is “Bettyann for Maine” at: https://www.facebook.com/BettyannforMaine/
1. What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent? Experience:
I own Finishing Touches Shower Doors and hear from homeowners and other small business owners. I am active in the community from the Airport Board to the Food Pantry Advisory Committee. I am an active citizen, involved in successfully passing the Kids Safe Products Act and other citizen-led legislation.
2. Why are you running for office?
For my children and for all Maine families. I will work to balance protecting our small town feel and individual rights while looking to the future to grow our small businesses and quality job market for a strong economic future here in Auburn and Minot.
3. What specific problems facing the constituents in your district would you hope to find solutions for as a lawmaker?
The most frequent concern I hear in both Auburn and Minot is property tax. We must restore revenue sharing. I will work for cooperation to find real solutions to real problems in Maine. We need reform in many areas in Maine. But cuts are not reform. Cuts alone cause unintended consequences.
4. What is your best personality trait?
I am an excellent listener. I seek out ideas and varying perspectives. My motto is Listen : Learn : Lead.
Each step requires talking with people, challenging assumptions, sharing ideas, addressing stumbling blocks. . . . Leading also involves conversations; I will lead, not by rule making, but by informing, motivating and inspiring.
Lewiston House District 59
Democrats Roger Fuller and Melissa May Stevens are seeking their party’s nomination for the seat formerly held by Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, who served the maximum number of terms in the House.
Roger J. Fuller
Age: 65
Address: 36 Elliott Ave., Lewiston.
Occupation: Retired educator, 42 years experience including at Lewiston High School, Oak Hill High School and Milken Community High School. Worked as a teacher, department chair, technology coordinator and principal.
Founder and CEO at Gryphondale Education Services, LLC.
Owner of MaineNet, a local digital communications company.
Education: 1972: BA degree in English, University of Maine at Orono; 1979: MA degree in English, University of Maine at Orono; 1989: MEd degree, educational psychology, University of Virginia at Charlottesville; 1999: MS degree in educational technology, Thomas College, Waterville; 2010: PhD in leadership and change, Antioch University, Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Family status: Married, two children and four grandchildren.
Previous elected experience, if any: None.
1. What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent?
As an experienced educator I have experience in dealing with people in both positive and challenging situations.
As a small business owner and small landlord, I know the business climate
in Maine and the needs of consumers. . . .
I have learned the value of collaboration and compromise while working toward goals.
2. Why are you running for office?
I have grown and benefited from the opportunities offered here in Maine, and I believe it is time to give back to the community and create pathways and opportunities for a new generation of Maine residents.
It’s time to put to work the leadership skills acquired over a lifetime in order to benefit the district and the state of Maine.
3. What specific problems facing the constituents in your district would you hope to find solutions for as a lawmaker?
We need to address four important concerns: education, environment,
employment and equity.
We need to redefine what education means for our young adults, meeting
their needs while avoiding social and sometimes financial bankruptcy.
We need to re-evaluate the systems used to raise the funds which
support education . . . and find equitable solutions to our tax responsibilities.
4. What is your best personality trait?
Creative adaptation and resiliency. Sometimes I like to think about “passion, patience and tenacity.” Simply put, “Common Sense counts.” I was told once in 9th grade that I could not have a real academic career with the words “You will not amount to anything without real hard work.” I took those words to heart.
Melissa May Stevens
Age: 34
Address: 458 Sabattus St., Lewiston
Occupation: Homemaker, student, LMT, holistic healer
Education: Currently attending the University of Southern Maine to obtain a master’s degree in social and behavioral science.
Family: Three children: Angelina, 10; Keenan, 8; and Izabella, 5.
When one gets a call, there are two choices: I chose to answer instead of ignore. There is a great need for dynamic diversity in perspective and energy. I know I can make a difference and I also want to set an example. I have young daughters; how can I not do this!?
Tie between integrity and compassion. Holding myself to a much higher standard in accountability, especially when no one is looking – that is when it counts. My compassion is limitless; I can say that with complete confidence.
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