Two men dedicated to public safety and public service face off for a seat in the Legislature.

LEWISTON – Both men – Larry Gilbert, the former Lewiston police chief and current mayor, and Mike Lajoie, former Lewiston fire chief – are stumped when asked what issues separate them as candidates.

“He’s taller than I am and he’s a little bit younger,” Lajoie said jokingly.

More seriously, Lajoie said he hadn’t actually given the topic much thought.

“I don’t know. I can’t pinpoint it exactly,” he said. “We both have some of the same goals, to represent the city of Lewiston.”

Gilbert said he wasn’t aware of any specific issues that differentiated himself and Lajoie as candidates.

Both men described themselves as “people persons” and pointed to their careers in public service as valuable experience they would carry to Augusta.

“Certainly a lot of the decisions made in Augusta affect the local municipality, and so I want to be a voice there for Lewiston,” Gilbert said. He said he’s served on countless boards and committees, as well as held professional posts at the municipal, state and federal levels.

Gilbert worked for the Lewiston Police Department for more than 25 years, was appointed U.S. marshal by President Bill Clinton and eventually became the associate director of the Maine Community Policing Institute at the University of Maine at Augusta.

Gilbert said his ability to relate to diverse members of the community helps him succeed as a politician and would serve him well at the State House.

“I do try to make myself available and it doesn’t matter where you stand socio-economically,” Gilbert said. “I always treat people, even if I was making an arrest, with dignity and respect. I bring those skills with me.”

Lajoie also believes his experience working for the city of Lewiston has prepared him for service in the State House. He said he’s used to organizing a budget with taxpayers’ money and handling the accountability that goes along with it.

“Talking to the taxpayers the way I have and answering their questions helps me understand the challenges legislators face,” Lajoie said.

In addition to his more than 30 years working directly for the Lewiston Fire Department, Lajoie said he has served as a legislative advocate on behalf of Maine fire chiefs for the past few years.

“I’ve been working with the Legislature for a period of time and after being in the hallways and talking to individuals, I realized I could do much more at the State House than I could locally,” Lajoie said.

He also said his experience in Augusta showed him how demanding a job legislators have while in session.

“I’ve gone up there at 8 a.m. and come home at 2 a.m.,” Lajoie said. “When you get to the end of a session, it’s really long. I’ve experienced it, I know what I’m getting into and I feel like I can do the job well.”

When asked if he thought it would be difficult for someone serving as a mayor to fulfill their commitment as a state legislator, Lajoie said he could only speak for himself.

“I would find it extremely challenging to accomplish something as such,” he said. “But I do know there are a number of legislators that are town councilors. I’m just glad I’m in the position I’m in; retired. I am prepared to do this full-time.”

Gilbert said he’s fully capable of serving as a state lawmaker in addition to his mayoral duties.

“Well, they’re both part-time positions,” he said. “It’s doable. I work hard, I’m used to working hard and I will continue to work hard. When I serve, I tend to serve with passion.”

Gilbert said past Lewiston mayors have maintained full-time jobs while serving the city without it being a problem. He pointed to former Lewiston Mayor John Jenkins, who also served as a state senator, as a recent example of someone who successfully juggled their time between Lewiston and Augusta.

Both Gilbert and Lajoie emphasized their commitment to fiscal responsibility.

“My parents brought me up to value a dollar and not to spend what you don’t have,” Lajoie said.

Gilbert said he’d like to help the state overhaul its tax policy.

“Trying to stem the growth of taxes is certainly a priority,” he said. “We should try and change the structure so people on fixed incomes, for example, can feel some relief.”

Gilbert also said the state needs to stop passing what he calls “unfunded mandates” that burden municipalities and ultimately those who pay property taxes.

“For example, liquor enforcement,” he said. “The state cuts back, but who has to pick up the work? Those decisions have an impact on the local level … because the only way to pay for them at the municipal level is through property tax.”

Lajoie said he would look to limit state spending.

“I will be careful with the citizens’ money,” he said.

The winner of this race will face Lewiston Republican John Babine in the general election in November.

In their own words

State legislative candidates Larry Gilbert and Mike Lajoie, on what they would bring to the State House for the people of Lewiston.

Larry Gilbert: I bring a great deal of experience, and I feel that I can serve the citizens in Lewiston from a seat in Augusta where I have a vote. I feel I can serve both as mayor and the role that it plays here and also in Augusta for the citizens of Lewiston and all of Maine.

Mike Lajoie: I don’t tell people I’m going to go up to Augusta and change things, because I can’t do it alone. I’m not going to give them false promises. I’m going to go up there and do the very best I can, to serve the taxpayers in the State House as I served them as fire chief.

You decide on June 10

On June 10, Maine voters will go to the polls to decide who will represent their political parties in races for Congress and the state Legislature this November.

Today we finish our coverage of primary races that voters in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties will decide.

Today: The face-off between former Lewiston police chief and current Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert and former fire Chief Mike Lajoie, for the seat that Democrat Elaine Makas is vacating.