Name:

Patricia Gagne

Email address

patti@pattigagneforsenate.com

Party affiliation

Republican

Legislative chamber

Maine Senate

Legislative district

21

Occupation or primary source of income

Insurance agent, owner, Patti Gagne Agency, Inc

Community organizations

Chair of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, serve on the Lewiston Board of Appeals, member of the Lewiston/Auburn Kiwanis Club, board member of The Root Cellar, member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, lector at Prince of Peace Parish

Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)

I enjoy golfing, doing yard work, attending plays and other cultural events, and hanging out with my husband. I serve breakfast at Hope Haven Gospel Mission just about every other weekend, and volunteer whenever I can.

Family status

Married to Ernie and we have two children, Stephanie and Scott

Years in Legislature

0

Are you a Clean Election candidate?

No

Committee assignments you want

Insurance and Financial Services; Education and Cultural Affairs.

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

The goal is to get people off of welfare, not to create more dependency on it. We need to fix the Medicaid program before we make it bigger. We need to take care of the most vulnerable citizens, the elderly and the disabled, who are waiting for help.

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?

I support medical marijuana, but I think there are too many uncertainties to legalize marijuana as a whole. Let’s look at what is happening in Colorado and study their results for a few years before we jump into it.

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?

Renewable energy sources are expensive upfront, so I think incentives are a positive way to support people who convert to those sources. I also think we need to invest in improving the energy infrastructure as a whole in 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 also raises the cost of the things we produce and contributes to inflation. How does it help to raise wages and then raise everything we buy? Small businesses may not be able to handle it, forcing them to close.

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

Welfare reform.

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

I have the personality to get along with everyone in Augusta so we can accomplish something. I am a small business owner and know what it is like to sign the front of a paycheck. I am also a homeowner and know what it is like to pay high taxes.

Describe yourself in a “Tweet”

Engaged in the community, Local small business owner, Ready to lead! #FreshPerspectiveforLewiston!

Name:

Nate Libby

Email address

nathan.libby@gmail.com

Party affiliation

Democrat

Legislative chamber

Maine Senate

Legislative district

21

Occupation or primary source of income

Consultant and landlord

Community organizations

Androscoggin Head Start, Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council, Lewiston Youth Advisory Council, Lewiston Community Development Committee

Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)

Carpentry, gardening, cycling, motorcycling

Family status

Married with one child

Years in Legislature

2

Are you a Clean Election candidate?

Yes

Committee assignments you want

Appropriations and Financial Affairs; Taxation; Education and Cultural Affairs; Government Oversight.

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

I have and will continue to support expanding coverage for 70,000 Mainers, half of whom are working people without insurance benefits. This program is estimated to create 3,000 jobs statewide and is supported by both local hospitals that are struggling to cover the increasing costs of charity care.

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?

Maine has a serious and growing drug epidemic, particularly with opiates like heroin that are highly addictive and often lead to fatal overdose. Law enforcement needs to focus on the worst of the worst. That said, statewide decriminalization of marijuana should ultimately be a decision made by Maine voters.

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?

Reducing our consumption of foreign oil is good for the environment and good for household budgets. Maine is in a strong position to take advantage of wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and tidal energy resources, so targeted investment in these technologies now would save us millions in the future.

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?

The minimum wage is worth much less in real dollars than it was 50 years ago. Increases in the minimum wage have not kept up with the cost of living, so I support raising it to $9.50 over a 3-year period and indexing it to inflation thereafter.

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

The economy and welfare: we need a laser focus on jobs and making Maine more competitive with New England; and nearly everyone agrees we need a strong safety net to help those not able to help themselves and the state needs to do better at targeting those gaming the system.

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

I have a strong record of accomplishment and a genuine bipartisan approach to public service. I’m not one for flashy promises, but I pledge to be a hard worker, a strong voice for reason and compromise, and someone Lewiston residents can always call on for assistance.

Describe yourself in a “Tweet”

New energy, new perspective, and a fierce advocate for Lewiston #votefornate

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