Democrats have enjoyed a strong majority in Maine’s 151-seat House of Representatives for the last four years.
Next year is expected to be a different story.
Political experts expect Republicans to pick up enough seats Nov. 2 to be a more powerful minority, better able to influence votes on laws and spending. The Maine Republican Party, meanwhile, is saying it might even win a majority of the seats, something that hasn’t happened since the election of 1972.
Candidates who win a seat in the Maine House this year will help fix a state budget shortfall estimated to be as much as $1 billion with some combination of spending cuts, borrowing and taxes.
At the same time, voters will be looking for help paying for local needs in their communities, such as replacing bridges.
Here is a look at a couple key races:
In Scarborough, Democratic incumbent Sean Flaherty is facing Amy Volk, a Republican.
In Jay, Democratic incumbent Paul Gilbert is facing a challenge from Republican business owner Anthony Couture.
DISTRICT 102
Standish
Michael Shaw, an incumbent Democrat from Standish, is running for re-election against Todd Delaney, a Republican from Standish, and Green Independent Michael Wakefield, also from Standish.
Shaw says growing the economy is the biggest issue facing the state and he is focused on finding ways to help businesses expand or set up shop in Maine. Delaney emphasizes balancing the state budget and reforming taxes. Wakefield did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 103
Poland, Frye Island, Raymond and Standish
Michael McClellan, a Republican from Raymond, and Leslie “Jim” Stephenson, a Democrat from Raymond, are vying for the open seat.
McClellan wants to improve Maine’s business environment, saying a healthy and growing business climate would benefit other aspects of life in the state. As a self-employed business valuation analyst, Stephenson is also focused on creating more jobs to reduce unemployment rates and make the lives of Maine people more financially secure.
DISTRICT 106
Freeport and Pownal
Bill Greene, a Republican from Freeport, is challenging Democratic incumbent David Webster of Freeport.
Greene thinks the biggest issue facing the state is the economy and wants to explore ways to improve it through free-market economics. Webster did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 107
Yarmouth
Melissa Walsh Innes, a Democrat from Yarmouth, is running for re-election against Jeff Weinstein, a Republican from Yarmouth.
Innes hopes to continue working to increase job opportunities in the state and meet economic needs while protecting the state’s natural resources. Should Weinstein defeat Innes, he hopes to tackle the financial crisis that he feels has developed from 30 years of undisciplined budgetary growth.
DISTRICT 108
Cumberland, Long Island and North Yarmouth
Meredith Strang Burgess, an incumbent Republican from Cumberland, is running for re-election against Cumberland residents Erin Cianchette, a Green Independent, and Thomas Gruber, a Democrat.
Burgess wants Maine to support the private sector through fair taxation, lower energy costs, a well-educated work force and a consistent regulatory process. Gruber hopes to re-establish trust in elected officials and Maine government. Cianchette did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 109
Gray, North Yarmouth and Pownal
Anne Graham, a Democrat from North Yarmouth, Cary Foster, a Republican from Gray, and Tyler Frank, an independent candidate from North Yarmouth, are vying for the seat.
Graham hopes to make health care reform a reality to ensure quality care at a lower cost, which she feels would further support the growth and sustainability of small businesses. Foster and Frank did not return candidate surveys.
DISTRICT 110
Gray and Windham
Mark Bryant, an incumbent Democrat from Windham, is running against Clayton Haskell, a Republican from Windham.
Neither Bryant nor Haskell returned a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 111
Windham
Gary Plummer, an incumbent Republican from Windham, is running for re-election against Geoffrey Heckman, a Democrat from Windham, and Angela Jean Webber, a Green Independent from Windham.
Plummer feels that Maine could attract more business by reducing taxes and making it less difficult for a business to start and succeed in the state. Neither Heckman nor Webber submitted a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 112
Falmouth
Incumbent Mary Pennell Nelson, a Democrat from Falmouth, is running for re-election against Mark Richard, a Falmouth Republican.
Nelson said the best way to restore the state’s economic health is to invest in innovative educational programs. Richard said the Legislature needs an attitude change when it comes to spending, taxes, business, welfare and education, adding that problem-solving requires new leadership and vision.
DISTRICT 113
Falmouth and Portland
Mark Dion, a Democrat from Portland, and Jason Harris, a Republican from Portland, are vying for the seat.
Dion, Cumberland County sheriff, is committed to supporting the sustainability and growth of small businesses in the state and hopes to restore public confidence in elected officials. Harris hopes to hold the state responsible for how taxpayer funds are spent and is looking to increase jobs while decreasing taxes.
DISTRICT 114
Portland
Peter Stuckey, an incumbent Democrat, is running against Patrick Calder, a Republican.
Stuckey says he is running for re-election to continue to support and protect disenfranchised and vulnerable Mainers. Calder says he is running to ensure fair representation for taxpaying, working families who struggle to make ends meet and to give his constituents a voice in government.
DISTRICT 115
Portland
Democratic incumbent Stephen Lovejoy is running against Green Independent candidate Seth Berner and Republican Chase Seaver Martin.
Lovejoy is running for re-election to continue working on education priorities, to prepare Maine’s youth for careers that offer good wages and opportunity in the state. As an activist for more than 25 years, Berner hopes to replace the common view that government should be run like a business with the model of running government like a family to advocate for everyone. Martin did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 116
Portland
Republican Kenneth Capron, Democrat Denise Harlow and independent candidate Fred Kilfoil are running for this seat.
Capron said the state’s biggest issue is economic development and thinks consolidating economic development services statewide would help bring jobs to Maine. Harlow agrees that the biggest issue facing Maine is the downward economic spiral, adding that making education accessible and affordable will help residents in the work force. If Kilfoil is elected, he hopes to put the state’s financial house in order, saying a strong economy will attract more jobs.
DISTRICT 117
Portland
Democratic incumbent Anne Haskell is running against Republican candidate Shaw-Elise Lapomarda.
Haskell said balancing the state budget with the least amount of harm and ensuring a strong foundation as the economy starts to improve are important issues to Maine. Lapomarda did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 118
Portland
Democratic incumbent Jon Hinck is running against Green Independent Camey Brewer and Republican Mark Carpentier.
Hinck hopes to help make government more open, fair and efficient, as well as to better advance the causes of freedom, justice, opportunity, prosperity and environmental sustainability. Neither Brewer nor Carpentier returned a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 119
Portland
Democrat Jill Barkley and independent candidate Benjamin Chipman are running for the open seat.
If elected, Barkley is looking at the big picture to find ways to support long-term prevention efforts in addition to short-term, temporary solutions when it comes to state funding of crisis response services. Chipman hopes to straighten out the state’s finances and stabilize revenue so Maine is not constantly facing a budget shortfall.
DISTRICT 120
Portland
Democratic incumbent Diane Russell is running against Republican Thomas Elliman and Green Independent Anna Trevorrow.
Russell wants to fund the Efficiency Maine Trust in a sustainable way to provide greater resources for homeowners and landlords to weatherize their homes, while ensuring small businesses have opportunities to reduce their overall energy costs. Trevorrow hopes to promote the development of a commuter rail network, which would provide Maine workers an alternative, sustainable way to get to work and promote tourism in Maine’s urban hubs. Elliman did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 121
Cape Elizabeth
Democratic incumbent Cynthia Dill is running against Republican Eric Lusk.
In addition to the lack of quality jobs, Dill said Maine’s biggest issues include the tax burden on families and businesses, education reform, the high cost of energy and protecting the state’s natural resources. Lusk did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 122
South Portland
Democratic incumbent Terry Morrison is running against Republican Howard Farr.
Farr hopes to work to control state spending until the economy turns around. Morrison says the economy is the top issue, and Maine must do a better job of marketing itself and improving the work it does to support small business.
DISTRICT 123
Cape Elizabeth and South Portland
Democratic incumbent Jane Eberle of South Portland is running against Kenneth Earl Myrick, a Republican from South Portland.
Eberle hopes to continue the work she has been involved in related to the economy, environment, business, health care and education. Myrick hopes to work on rebuilding the community’s trust in elected officials, which will aid in resolving big issues such as state spending, energy efficiency and creating a business-friendly environment.
DISTRICT 124
South Portland
Democratic incumbent Bryan Kaenrath is running against Republican Adam Barter
Kaenrath hopes to have a pragmatic and balanced approach to public policy and is willing to work with both parties to get results. Barter did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 125
Westbrook
Democratic incumbent Ann Peoples is running against Michael Lawson, a Republican from Westbrook.
Peoples believes that education for job creation is an important issue, in addition to improving the state’s transportation infrastructure. Lawson did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 126
Westbrook
Democratic incumbent Timothy Driscoll is running against Republican Bruce Chuluda.
Driscoll hopes to preserve existing jobs and promote the creation of new jobs through continued work on the Labor Committee. Most recently serving as the mayor of Westbrook, Chuluda wants to initiate or support legislation to improve the quality of life for the majority of Maine residents and increase economic opportunity.
DISTRICT 127
Scarborough
Democratic incumbent Sean Flaherty is running against Republican Amy Volk.
Flaherty hopes to continue to represent Scarborough and to focus on education, energy and small business within the state. As a mother of four, Volk hopes to represent family values in the Scarborough community and advocate for the prosperity of future generations and an overhaul of Maine’s health insurance system.
DISTRICT 128
Scarborough
Democrat Brian M. Dell’Olio and Republican Heather Sirocki are vying for the open seat.
Dell’Olio hopes to address economic and job growth in the state through easing the pressure on small businesses by cutting red tape and regulation. Sirocki said she is running to represent the “common man,” having been disappointed in the leadership that has brought a budget shortfall and added to the state’s debt.
DISTRICT 129
Gorham
Republican incumbent Jane Knapp is running against Democrat Daniel Joseph LeVasseur.
Knapp hopes to work on tax relief for Maine residents should she be re-elected, as well as improving educational opportunities. LeVasseur hopes to use his business experience to streamline government and address Maine’s economy.
DISTRICT 130
Gorham and Buxton
Democratic incumbent Linda Sanborn of Gorham is running against Jacob Timothy Stoddard, a Buxton Republican.
Sanborn is running for re-election to build upon her work during her first term and help grow jobs that would pay a livable wage, allowing Maine’s children to stay and work here and the elderly to retire securely. If elected, Stoddard would like to streamline government and make it more open and friendly to businesses and people.
DISTRICT 132
Old Orchard Beach
The candidates for this seat are Democrat George W. Hogan and Republican William J. Gombar.
Hogan says jobs are the number one issue, and he would work to make the state more business-friendly. Gombar did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 133
Saco
Donald E. Pilon, an incumbent Democrat, faces a challenge from Brad J. Watts, a Republican.
Pilon says business development and jobs are the major issues facing the state, and balancing a budget takes a careful appraisal of the impact of cuts. Watts agrees that jobs are the key issue and says Maine needs to simplify its regulatory structure and reduce taxes and energy costs.
DISTRICT 134
Saco
Incumbent Democrat Linda M. Valentino seeks re-election to this seat, hoping to fend off challenges from Green Independent Roger B. Gay and Republican Mary Schiavoni.
Valentino says Maine needs to pass legislation that makes it a business destination, with a skilled work force, access to capital and low taxes. Gay and Schiavoni did not return candidate surveys.
DISTRICT 135
Biddeford
Paulette G. Beaudoin, an incumbent Democrat, is running for re-election against Republican Marc A. Worrell.
Neither candidate returned a survey.
DISTRICT 136
Biddeford
Megan Rochelo, a Democrat, hopes to defeat W. Sturgis Whalen, a Republican, for this open seat.
Rochelo says attracting businesses that create jobs is the key issue, and that reducing energy costs and developing alternatives would help improve business prospects. Whalen agrees on the importance of jobs and says cutting red tape and providing incentives are key factors to focus on.
DISTRICT 137
Biddeford and Kennebunkport
Suzanne Y. Sexton, a Republican from Biddeford, hopes to unseat incumbent Democrat Alan M. Casavant of Biddeford in this district.
Casavant says the budget shortfall is the biggest challenge facing the state, and raising taxes is not an option. He says Maine needs to develop a work force with better skills and more education. Sexton did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 140
Kennebunk, Arundel and Dayton
Gary A. Connor, a Kennebunk Democrat, is defending his seat against Republican challenger Wayne Parry of Arundel.
Connor says the economy is the key issue, and Maine needs to look for nontraditional industries for more jobs while reducing regulatory complexity and improving access to capital. Parry says there’s too much wasteful spending and over-regulation that hamstrings businesses. He wants to cut red tape.
DISTRICT 141
Kennebunk
Democratic incumbent Edward P. Legg is seeking another term and faces a challenge from Republican Paul E. Bennett.
Legg emphasizes job growth, which he says could be stimulated by increasing startup funding for entrepreneurs, raising tax incentives for existing businesses and reducing the state income tax. Bennett did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 142
Sanford
Linda B. Gulnac, a Republican, hopes to unseat Democrat Andrea M. Boland in this district.
Gulnac emphasizes education, saying a well-educated work force will attract businesses, providing revenue that will reduce the tax burden. Boland targets health care costs, which she sees as undermining the state’s economy.
DISTRICT 143
Sanford
John L. Tuttle Jr., an incumbent Democrat, is running against Republican Maura A. Herlihy.
Herlihy says the state needs to lower the overall costs of doing business in Maine and emphasize job training and education that provide the technical skills needed in the workplace. Tuttle did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 144
Sanford
Joan M. Nass, a Republican incumbent, is running for re-election against an independent, Pamela E. Gerry.
Nass says the state needs to attract more jobs, in part by reducing insurance costs, altering the estate tax and finding lower-cost energy. Gerry says she fears an impending collapse of the U.S. monetary system and contends that the state should focus on keeping people fed and sheltered because it cannot attract more jobs.
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