State Senate District 14 candidates H. Sawin Millett Jr. of Waterford and John Patrick of Rumford say they have unfinished business from their four terms as members of the House of Representatives.

Therefore, since they can no longer serve due to the term-limit law, they hope to continue in the Senate. They are vying for the seat vacated by Democrat Bruce Bryant of Dixfield, who was termed-out this year.

Millett, a Republican, wants to to create an economic recovery plan and balance Maine’s budget. After decades in public administration, he talks about the state budget as a ledger. On one side, he said, the state must rein in spending and make some hard decisions. On the other, Maine must increase its tax revenue with new business.

“We’re ranked 50th in terms of business,” Millett said, citing a recent Forbes Magazine article that listed Maine as the least friendly state for business. “That’s got to turn around. That’s where we need a sense of optimism and a new direction,” he said.

Patrick, a Democrat, and Millett agree that business is overly regulated in Maine.

More immediately, Patrick said, the state needs tax reform to lessen the income tax burden on Mainers, while finding ways to increase revenue. He said the recent reform measure repealed by voters in June wasn’t a bad bill, but listening to constituents’ needs could have been better.

“The one onerous tax that really ticked people off was having the tax on labor on automobiles,” Patrick said. “I think the average citizen thought that was overly burdensome.”

Both candidates have been leaders in the Maine House. Millett is the ranking Republican on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. Patrick chaired the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee for four years before his term ended in 2008.

Millett and Patrick said they respect the other’s legislative work, but both are quick to point out their differences.

“The biggest difference between Sawin and I is that I have actually been a blue-collar worker my whole career,” Patrick said. “He’s been a bureaucrat in the government.”

Patrick is a maintenance mechanic at NewPage paper mill in Rumford. He’s a union member who has worked at the mill for 30 years.

“I’ve always been one that has scratched and clawed and tried to look out for the working men and women,” Patrick said.

Millett argued that his decades of work on financial issues are his best attribute, especially in the current economic crisis. Before his recent run in the Maine Legislature, Millett held positions in the cabinets of Maine governors Longley, Brennan, McKernan and King, working as commissioner of education, commissioner of finance and commissioner of Administrative & Financial Services.

Speaking of Patrick, Millett said, “I don’t think he brings as much to the table as I do in terms of contribution at the legislative level on the major issues of the moment, and that’s the comparison that I try to make.”

“I think I’m respected for my credibility and integrity across both political aisles,” Millett said. “I’m very proud of that.”

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