Ned Claxton

Maine Senate 20

Social media accounts:
claxtonforsenate.me; https://www.facebook.com/ClaxtonforSenate/

Occupation:
Physician, retired.

Education:
Princeton University, BA; U of Cincinnati Medical School, MD; University of Minnesota Family Medicine Residency.

Community Organizations:
First Universalist Church, Auburn; Stanton Bird Club Nature Preserve, trail maintenance; Androscoggin Land Trust; Trinity Jubilee Center; Hanley Health Leadership, board member; White Mountain Trailhead Steward.

Personal information (hobbies, etc.):
Hiking, biking, x-c skiing, snowshoeing, reading, gardening, home projects.

Family status:
Married.

Years in the Legislature:                                                                                      None.

Committee assignments (if elected):
Health and Human Services, Environment and Natural Resources.

Q&A

1) What legislation do you support, if any, to address the state’s opiate crisis?
Expanding resources for those trying to recover from addiction, with programs that are smart, tough and compassionate — including support for family and friends who are affected by this disease.

2) What legislation do you support, if any, to address failures in the state’s child abuse prevention system?
To keep Maine’s children safe, caseworkers need better pay for the work they do. This would help address high turnover rates, job satisfaction and the vital need for consistent family support.

3) Should schools continue to push forward with proficiency-based diplomas? Why or why not?
Diplomas should always be awarded based on competence. Maine schools need to have the resources to help each student become proficient, skilled in some areas and capable in many others.

4) Are you in favor of some type of universal health care for Maine residents? Why, or why not?
Yes. All Mainers need health insurance to improve their access to care and to decrease the cost of medicine — key concerns I’ve long heard about from my patients and now from many residents.

5) Do you support Question 1 (the 3.8% tax to fund the home care program)? Why, or why not?
People doing the critical work to keep Mainers in their homes need and deserve living wages. However, this initiative is a limited one-time fix that doesn’t address other major state funding needs.

6) Are you frustrated by the political sniping, exaggeration and even lies between the parties and their supporters that have threatened progress usually reached through respect and reasoned compromise? If so, what will you personally do to make the situation better?                                                                                          If elected, I fully commit to listen to different viewpoints with honesty and respect, as I have always done. Legislators can only be effective if they work together to benefit Mainers.

7) Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know, and might surprise them.
I’m good (and careful!) with a chainsaw. I took a sawyer certification course and enjoy spending many volunteer hours helping maintain local trails for Stanton Bird Club and Androscoggin Land Trust.

Speed Round

Should voters be required to show ID at the polls?                                                No.