Maine election 2022: Williams vs. Harrington for Senate District 33 seat

Democrat Kendra Williams, of Sanford, is difficult Republican Matt Harrington, of Sanford, for the Maine Senate seat representing District 33 (Sanford, Lebanon, Alfred and Waterboro). 

Kendra Williams

Hometown: Sanford

The U.S. Supreme Court docket has overturned Roe v. Wade and positioned the facility to manage abortion with the states. What ought to state lawmakers do relating to abortion legal guidelines?

There needs to be no adjustments in Maine’s abortion legal guidelines. Nevertheless, I’m conscious that there are ongoing discussions and a evaluation about whether or not the present Maine Structure gives abortion protections or whether or not a constitutional modification is required to make sure that they’re everlasting and never topic to vary primarily based on the political occasion with a majority. It takes two-thirds of the Legislature to help bringing the query of an modification to the voters in a statewide referendum. I’ll vote in favor of doing so If it’s decided that such an modification is critical to make sure that ladies’s reproductive rights are completely protected in Maine.

The state’s residents and companies face many financial challenges, together with excessive costs for electrical energy and gasoline, a labor scarcity, an absence of reasonably priced housing and rising costs on account of inflation. How would you deal with these challenges?

I’d help methods to extend incentives for weatherization, together with the set up of high-performance warmth pumps, to attain recognized targets of getting 100,000 warmth pumps in Maine properties and companies by 2025 together with different weatherization targets. I’m in favor of initiatives that mix Maine’s current rebate and tax credit score program with the federal Inflation Discount Act to maximise the incentives. With anticipated demand, a deal with guaranteeing ample provides of warmth pumps in addition to well-trained workers and installers is required. Packages already begun at our neighborhood faculties for coaching and apprenticeships, together with stipends for transportation and childcare to help college students whereas coaching, would have my help. Because the state with the oldest inhabitants within the nation, we’ve got a lot of folks leaving the workforce on account of retirement with out sufficient youthful folks to exchange them. The options to worker shortages embody providing incentives to retain our youthful inhabitants, recruiting youthful folks from different states and dealing with Congress to loosen restrictions on immigrants and work visas. One factor I believe the Legislature might do is to supply funding to create a recruitment marketing campaign however there must be coordination to make sure reasonably priced housing is accessible to those that want to reside and work in Maine. It can take a multifaceted and collaborative method involving the Legislature, Congress and employers.

What else would you like voters to find out about you or your coverage positions earlier than the election on Nov. 8?

A robust financial system depends upon supporting companies in addition to strengthening help for folks throughout the lifespan. That features our seniors, working folks juggling households and a number of obligations, and our youngsters. I am a robust supporter of public schooling, particularly P-Ok and Profession Technical Training. We have to rebuild our healthcare system, together with elevated availability of psychological well being and substance abuse remedy and in-home helps for seniors and disabled individuals. And we have to develop secure and reasonably priced childcare for working households. I am obsessed with systematic reform of our little one welfare system. And with every part we do, we have to think about the influence on our local weather and pure assets. I help fiscal duty and am glad that Maine is required to have a balanced finances. I help insurance policies that make Maine a spot the place there’s equality, alternative and the place households can thrive now and sooner or later.

A information to voter rights in Maine: What it is advisable to know earlier than you forged a poll

Matthew Harrington

Hometown: Sanford, Maine

The U.S. Supreme Court docket has overturned Roe v. Wade and positioned the facility to manage abortion with the states. What ought to state lawmakers do relating to abortion legal guidelines?

I’ve spent months listening to from constituents about this necessary situation. Maine’s abortion legislation was codified within the early Nineties. This legislation preserves the fitting for a girl to hunt an abortion within the traumatic circumstances of rape, incest and the lifetime of the mom. As well as, this legislation additionally addresses viability of the fetus. I consider Maine legislation strikes the suitable steadiness and I don’t intend to vote so as to add further restrictions, or to take away the restrictions already in statute. I don’t help taxpayer funding of abortions. I additionally oppose efforts to develop entry to late-term abortions except it includes saving the lifetime of the mom, or a tragic circumstance the place the being pregnant has failed.

The state’s residents and companies face many financial challenges, together with excessive costs for electrical energy and gasoline, a labor scarcity, an absence of reasonably priced housing and rising costs on account of inflation. How would you deal with these challenges?

At the beginning, we have to deal with the short-term inflation and heating oil disaster dealing with Maine households. Too many households can be confronted with the powerful determination of whether or not to eat or warmth their properties this winter. I’m particularly involved about these residing on mounted incomes, equivalent to our aged inhabitants. Second, Maine faces vital challenges that have to be overcome to strengthen our financial system. We should prioritize schooling to make sure our youngsters are being educated for the roles of the long run, which incorporates emphasizing vocational schooling in youthful grades. We should embrace all power expertise that can cut back heating and electrical energy prices for Maine households and small companies. Within the quick time period, we should embrace and put money into applied sciences that can decrease costs for Maine households and small companies to incentivize funding and strengthen Maine’s financial system. We should guarantee those that are capable of work – go to work, and we’ve got to cease incentivizing folks to remain house. Lastly, we should deal with the housing disaster dealing with Maine – particularly in southern Maine – by guaranteeing items being constructed are actually reasonably priced. Regardless of the challenges dealing with Maine, I really like this state and consider that we are able to come collectively to construct a robust financial system for our children and grandkids.

What else would you like voters to find out about you or your coverage positions earlier than the election on Nov. 8?

My father was a disabled Vietnam veteran. I bear in mind seeing the protection of 9/11 as a younger teenager. That day formed the remainder of my life. My total profession has been spent working in numerous capacities in public security. I spent the early years of my profession working in hearth and EMS. The final 15 years, I’ve spent working as a police officer. I’ve spent my time serving within the Maine Home of Representatives targeted on selling insurance policies to assist our first responders. In as we speak’s world, we’ve seen too many assaults on legislation enforcement. At a time when violent crime is on the rise, in Maine, what we are saying issues. I consider Maine is a fascinating place for the very best of the very best to lift their households and to construct a profitable profession in legislation enforcement. Nevertheless, we have to guarantee they know they are going to be appreciated, and we should cease demonizing the occupation. I consider I’ve the confirmed ability units vital to succeed in throughout the aisle and discover inventive options to the problems dealing with Maine. Maine is usually a thriving place to reside and lift a household. Nevertheless, we should put politics apart and deal with the problems dealing with Mainers. I’ve a confirmed observe file of working with Democrats to cross laws – and I ask to your vote to proceed that work on Nov. eighth.