An incumbent state representative is facing a challenger in her bid for reelection in House District 128, which covers part of Westbrook.
Republican Charles Ellis is running to unseat Rep. Suzanne Salisbury, a Democrat.
Ellis did not respond to requests for information about his candidacy.
Here is a look at Salisbury’s priorities and positions on some key issues.
Q: What are your three top priorities and why?
Suzanne Salisbury
My top priorities are food insecurity, housing and emergency medical services. I was a champion of food insecurity issues before I was elected to the House and I have continued the fight to end hunger in Maine. I will continue to work with the Ending Hunger Task Force and ensure that universal free student meals continue to be funded. The housing crisis in Maine is at a critical level. Mainers’ basic needs are not being met: Food, shelter, access to healthcare, and the ability to make a thriving wage are out of reach. We need to change this. Finally, I have been working on the Blue Ribbon Commission on Emergency Medical Services which is looking to evaluate and make suggestions on improvements to the Maine EMS system. Workforce shortages and low reimbursement rates have created a system that is in crisis and I will do what I can to change this course.
Q: What are your biggest concerns about the economy right now and what should the Legislature do to address them?
I am concerned about inflation and a potential impending recession. The Legislature and Gov. Mills have done a great job in supporting small businesses and ensuring that Mainers had access to funds during the pandemic. The state has a rainy day fund that is the highest it has ever been and we have the best and the brightest economists with their eyes on the future and I will work with them to support their recommendations.
Q: Do you support changing Maine’s abortion law to make it more or less restrictive and how?
I am in full support of Maine’s abortion law and will advocate strongly against any changes that would restrict a birthing person’s access to an abortion.
Q: Do you believe President Biden won the 2020 election fairly?
Yes I believe President Biden won the election.
AT A GLANCE
City/Town: Westbrook
Party: Democrat
Occupation: Owner, The Daily Grind
Education: High School, Edward Little High School 1987. BA from USM, leadership and organizational skills, 2022
Civic/Political Experience: Current: Finishing first term as state representative; Westbrook School Committee, 2007-17, 2018 to present, current committee chair and chair of Finance Committee; One Westbrook Committee member; Westbrook Families Feeding Families Food Pantry, founder/director. Past: Westbrook Children’s Cabinet chair; Intercultural Community Center board of directors chair; Special Olympics Maine board of directors executive secretary
— Juliana Vandermark
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