I am a life-long resident of Westbrook from a family that takes pride in public service. I am running for re-election to serve you and your family because we need public servants who have a proven track record and who will rise to face the challenges that our city, state, and country face. In Augusta, I’ve fought to protect the rights of Mainers, invest in opportunities for our children, and support Westbrook’s small-bussinesses.
During the 130th Legislature, I brought Republicans, Independents, and Democrats together to expand service programming and provide jobs for younger Mainers with my Maine Service Fellows, a state-based rural service corps focused on public health and housing issues, and the Maine Climate Corps programs. I co-sponsored legislation that protects election integrity by regulating possession of ballots and voting machines, promotes affordable housing, and sets us on the path to achieve carbon neutrality in Maine by 2045.
In 2022, environmental protections, reproductive rights, and crucial issues that affect our day-to-day lives are at stake. Together, we can expand on all the good we have accomplished and work to deliver a better future for all.
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I am a proud life-long resident of Westbrook, having graduated from Westbrook High School and Bowdoin College. In high school, I served two years as a student representative on the Westbrook City Council, and at Bowdoin, I won a fellowship to work alongside Syrian and Iraqi refugees at an NGO in Amman, Jordan. I am also the author of Neighborhood Heroes: Life Lessons from Maine’s Greatest Generation, a collection of profiles on Maine WWII veterans, and the co-author of Dear Maine: The Trials and Triumphs of Maine’s 21st Century Immigrants with Reza Jalali, the Director of the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center. In my free time, you can find me running along the trails by the community center or grabbing a coffee on Main Street. Let me know how I can be of service to you and your family.
As the grandson and nephew of public school teachers and a proud graduate of the Westbrook public school system, I know the importance of supporting public school teachers and students. That’s why I voted to fund 55% of Maine’s public schools’ K-12 education costs and provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. I also supported limiting tuition increases at the University of Maine system, local community colleges, and Maine Maritime Academy, helping families in Maine with children in post-secondary schools. And, I voted for a budget that includes funds to provide for two years of free community college.
I will continue to fight to make sure that students and teachers across Maine have the funding and support that they need.
I voted in support of $850 direct relief checks that will go to more than 850,000 eligible Mainers. Additionally, I supported income tax breaks for retired Maine residents, expanded property tax relief, and increased the Earned Income Tax Credit. This much-needed financial relief will help Westbrook families save money and provide extra cash on hand.
I am a proud member of the Veterans & Legal Affairs Committee and worked on many efforts to support our veterans. I’m especially proud to have cosponsored legislation making permanent a veterans' mental health case management services pilot program as well as legislation restoring honor to veterans discharged due to their gender identity or sexuality.
As one of the youngest members of the Maine legislature, protecting Maine’s environment for future generations and addressing the climate crisis are top priorities. I voted to protect Mainers and Maine’s environment by banning aerial herbicide spraying, divesting from fossil fuels, addressing contamination in our land and water from PFAS (forever chemicals), funding climate education in our schools, and supporting funding for the Land for Maine’s Future program. I sponsored the Maine Climate Corps, which will help provide Mainers of all ages the opportunity to serve our communities in addressing the climate crisis from working with towns on climate resiliency to solar panel installation and invasive species monitoring.
Our state is experiencing an affordable housing crisis. I know what it’s like to struggle with high rents. This past session, I supported many efforts to make housing more affordable. I supported property tax relief for seniors and using federal monies to build more affordable housing and support first-time homebuyers. I voted to expand the Property Tax Fairness Credit, providing tax and rent relief and increased state reimbursement to municipalities for the Homestead Exemption Program, allowing Mainers to exempt $25,000 from the values of their home. And, I voted for the historic bipartisan LD 2003 which will greatly alleviate the affordable housing shortage by legalizing duplexes and accessory dwelling units.
Every person in Maine needs affordable and accessible health care. During the 130th, I supported many bills to help individuals and families get the care they need. I voted for legislation to expand dental coverage to over 200,000 Mainers, which included funding for Maine’s school-based oral health program. I supported funding to expand access to 40,000 Maine children across the state to the Children’s Health Insurance Program. I also was proud to vote in favor of legislation to move towards using international pricing to reduce prescription drug costs, and, I voted on legislation to support Maine’s behavioral health programs.
I also voted in support of legislation protecting reproductive rights. Abortion care is healthcare. With Mainers’ right to choose at stake, we need elected officials who will protect it. I will always protect reproductive rights.
I believe every Mainer should have the opportunity to serve their community. That’s why I brought Republicans, Independents, and Democrats together to establish the Maine Service Fellows, a service corps addressing housing and public health. I also developed and sponsored legislation to establish and fund the Maine Climate Corps to provide jobs to young Mainers and meet our climate mitigation goals.