AUBURN — Republican voters in Androscoggin County can choose their candidate for Register of Probate in the primary on Tuesday, June 14, to represent the party in November’s general election. The two candidates are Leslie Dubois of Lewiston and Joanna Said of Livermore. The winner will face Democrat Ira Bittues of Lewiston in the fall for the four-year term.
Joshua Klein-Golden, the current Register of Probate, is not running for office. He was appointed this past spring by Gov. Paul LePage to complete the term of Brian Bolduc, who resigned last fall.
Below is a short Q&A with the two Republican candidates.
Leslie Dubois
Address: 588 Main St., Lewiston
Why are you running for register of probate?
Since 2012, either by election or appointment, a four-year position has been held by four different people. I, Leslie Dubois, am running because I believe the people of Androscoggin County need someone who will bring the needed stability to the job, someone who is loyal, reliable, trusting, caring, has the time, expertise and common sense to do the job. I offer this commitment.
What skills do you bring to the job?
Since 1999 I, Leslie Dubois, have managed the successful law practice of the presiding probate judge, dealing with the precise matters that come before the probate office, such as estates, guardianships, adoptions, name changes, publications, scheduling, budgets, effective listening and much more. I served as Lewiston city councilor, was appointed to the Finance Committee, and was appointed by Mayor Robert Macdonald to the Zoning Board of Appeals, a seat I currently hold.
Why should voters choose you?
The probate office/court is about people, not politics. I can separate the two. You are a person with an opinion. I deeply care about the probate office, about you, your feelings, what you are going through. A vote for Leslie Dubois is a vote for a compassionate, honest, get-along-with-everyone person who has the experience, desire and time to do the job.
Joanna Said
Address: 176 Bear Mountain Road, Livermore
Why are you running for register of probate?
Experience: Appointed by Gov. Paul LePage in 2014 to fill the vacancy, I served eight months in Androscoggin Probate.
Dedication: I observed the needs in probate and greatly desire fixing problems through hard work.
Integrity: Caring for the people of Androscoggin County, I want to serve and meet the needs with honesty, dedication, kindness and honor.
What skills do you bring to the job?
History: I have deep roots in Androscoggin County, going back many generations. My husband and I (we met at college in California), were both brought up as Baptists. We were married 28 years ago in Lewiston and our two sons, 20 and 16, were born at St. Mary’s Hospital. So, we love this county.
My work background is a combination of both social services and business, which prepared me for serving the people of our county well.
Why should voters choose you?
Philosophy: What the probate office needs is simple — someone with experience, integrity and dedication, skilled in budgets and capable of serving the public with dignity and respect. This is what I am offering.
If I am nominated in June and elected in November, I pledge to Androscoggin County voters that I will pour my efforts into helping the probate office run smoothly and honorably in the years ahead.
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