Jessica Fay

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 66
Age: 48
Occupation: Owner, Maine Lakes Wedding and Event Florist
Education: B.A., Simmons College, Boston
Family: Married
Hometown: Raymond

Political experience

I am not a politician, I’m a small business owner who has worked to support candidates who would best represent me and my district. I have gained insight into policy and politics through engagement in the process.

Why are you running for office?

I am running because of my mom.
I was raised in a family that believes right sized government is necessary to a civil society. My family has a multi-generational history of public service: elected, civil service, volunteer, and military. Two years ago, my mom almost died during a heart surgery, and over the three months she spent in the hospital, I learned how important advocacy is. An advocate can amplify and clarify our voice.
As the owner of a small business, I understand that we need to do more to encourage Maine businesses and entrepreneurs to grow and create good paying jobs. Local businesses are more connected to their communities and are more likely to stay in Maine. I would like to be an advocate for Maine’s small businesses.
We all need a voice in our government. We deserve a representative that will work hard and understands that while we should be guided by our personal beliefs, the job requires compromise. Government does not function when our lawmakers take a “my way or the highway” mentality. It’s not about being right, it’s about doing what’s right.

• Income Tax: Gov. LePage would like to lower Maine’s income tax rate and eventually eliminate it, by increasing the state’s sales tax and expanding it across a broader range of goods and services. Do you support this proposal?
  • Other
    Without changing the tax code, eliminating one tax in favor of another would be a tax shift, and possibly one that places a greater burden for funding local and state government onto seniors and young families. Changes in taxation should be done in a careful and thoughtful way that doesn’t add a burden to those who can least afford it.
• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • Other
    We need to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and violent people. We need to upgrade our background check system. In reference to Question 3 on the ballot, there are problems with the way it’s been written, it doesn’t work well for Maine and our traditions. I would like to work with other elected officials to come up with some common sense legislation to address loopholes in the current law, but that doesn’t negatively impact law abiding gun owners in the process.
• Minimum Wage: In light of the ballot question facing voters this fall, do you support raising the state’s minimum wage from $7.50 to $12 an hour by 2020?
  • Yes
    If someone is working, they deserve to be paid a fair wage for their time and energy.
• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • Other
    I do support legalization of marijuana for recreational use, but I have some concerns with the ballot Question 1 as written. An issue as complicated as this should be addressed deliberately and should be vetted through the committee and hearing processes in order to avoid as many unintended consequences as possible.
• Addiction/Overdoses: Do you believe the state is doing enough in response to the rise in heroin/opiate addiction and overdoses? If not, what else should be done?
  • We need to make sure that everyone who needs treatment gets it. We need to make sure that law enforcement has the tools to stop dealers and we need to further educate our kids and the community as to the very real danger that heroin poses.

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