Name:

Eric Brakey

Email address

eric@brakeyforsenate.com

Party affiliation

Republican

Legislative chamber

Maine Senate

Legislative district

20

Occupation or primary source of income

Financial record manager, Brakey Energy

Community organizations

I am a mentor with Big Brothers, Big Sisters. My little brother, Tommy, and I enjoy fishing at the Upper Range Pond and catching movies at Flagship Cinemas. Additionally, I am active with the Young Professionals of the Lewiston/Auburn Area (YPLAA).

Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)

My favorite hobby is performing on stage at the Lewiston/Auburn Community Little Theatre. In the last two years, I have appeared as Felix Ungar in “The Odd Couple,” Mortimer Brewster in “Arsenic and Old Lace,” and Brother Maynard in Monty Python’s “Spamalot.”

Family status

Eligible bachelor

Years in Legislature

0

Are you a Clean Election candidate?

No

Committee assignments you want

Appropriations and Financial Affairs; Health and Human Services; Education and Cultural Affairs.

Would you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare? Why or why not?

More than being expensive to Maine taxpayers, it is also unnecessary and deceptive. Every hospital in Maine already offers free care (including physician and preventative) to people, as part of their community good requirements, up to 175 percent of poverty (whereas MaineCare caps at 138 percent).

Should Maine follow the city of Portland’s lead and legalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21? Why or why not?

This issue should be decided by the Maine voters. I will honor their decision. If it passes, it should be licensed, taxed and regulated the same as alcohol and tobacco. We should devote resources to keep it out of our schools, and allow employers to enforce their own drug policies.

Should the state of Maine continue to provide incentives for businesses and homeowners to convert or diversify energy sources to those considered renewable, like solar, wind and geothermal?

I support an all-of-the-above approach, including opening access for Hydro Quebec to sell clean, renewable and affordable hydro energy into the state. This would bring prices down and provide cleaner alternatives. It is important that we lower energy costs to attract jobs back to Maine.

Maine’s minimum wage is $7.50 an hour. As a state lawmaker would you support increasing that minimum wage? If so, what should Maine’s minimum wage be?

Raising the minimum wage destroys jobs, forces people onto the welfare rolls, and creates inflation. Our kids need the work experience that minimum wage jobs provide, and our seniors on fixed incomes cannot afford any more price increases on daily necessities. Economic growth is the way to sustainably raise wages.

What issue is the most important to voters in your legislative district?

Reforming our broken welfare system (including residency requirements for those seeking benefits) to ensure our limited resources are helping those most in need, not enabling welfare abuse. Also, prioritizing education by eliminating mandates, restoring local control, and ensuring Edward Little High School is on the state-approved list for funding.

What about you makes you the man or woman for the job?

I believe you cannot represent people if you do not personally know them and their concerns. That is why I have traveled across this entire district — knocking on over 5,000 doors — meeting and listening to the people of our community. I will always put local people before Augusta partisan politics.

Describe yourself in a “Tweet”

#BrakeyForSenate listens to the community, and will #RestoreMainesFuture with fresh ideas to #PrioritizeEducation and #ReformWelfare.

Name:

John Cleveland

Email address

jcleveland@cdcorp.org

Party affiliation

Democrat

Legislative chamber

Maine Senate

Legislative district

20

Occupation or primary source of income

Consultant, Economic & Community Development

Community organizations

Auburn-Lewiston Rotary, Museum LA Board member, Auburn Public Library corporator

Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)

Reading, hiking, sport, family activities

Family status

Married

Years in Legislature

10

Are you a Clean Election candidate?

Yes

Committee assignments you want

Energy, Utilities and Technology; Appropriations and Financial Affairs.

Would you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare? Why or why not?

Yes.  70,000 people without access to health insurance would be covered, 100 percent of the cost is covered by the federal government, hospitals would receive payment for medical services, and 3,000 new jobs would be created.

Should Maine follow the city of Portland’s lead and legalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21? Why or why not?

No. It would send the wrong message to our children.

Should the state of Maine continue to provide incentives for businesses and homeowners to convert or diversify energy sources to those considered renewable, like solar, wind and geothermal?

Yes. We need diversified, clean and Maine-based energy resources.

Maine’s minimum wage is $7.50 an hour. As a state lawmaker would you support increasing that minimum wage? If so, what should Maine’s minimum wage be?

Yes. To a responsible amount in incremental steps over several years.

What issue is the most important to voters in your legislative district?

Increasing the number of good job opportunities in the area so people can support themselves and their families and our children will be able to stay in the area and raise their families here as well.

What about you makes you the man or woman for the job?

I have extensive local government and legislative experience. I am bipartisan and support reasonable compromises. I have lived in the district all of my life and my wife and I raised two sons. I have been a business owner for 25 years, and I bring integrity and honesty to the job.

Describe yourself in a “Tweet”

Senator John Cleveland works hard for the people in the Senate District and always tries to do what is best for the citizens he represents.

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