By Ed Pierce Legislative races in Windham and Raymond feature a rematch from 2024 for State Senate District 26 and three incumbent Republicans seeking to retain seats in the Maine House of Representatives and turning back Democrat challengers.
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Legislative candidates
for 2026 to represent
Windham and Raymond
are, top row from left,
Tim Nangle and Kenny
Cianchette, second row
from left, Rolf Olsen
and Abigail Geer,
Third row from left,
Mark Cooper and
Joseph Campbell,
Bottomrow from left,
Bradley Youngs and
Barbara Bagshaw.
SUBMITTED
PHOTOS |
Two of the Maine House positions in District 106 and District 107 represent parts of Windham, while the third position, District 86, represents Raymond, Casco, Frye Island and part of Poland. Maine Senate District 26 represents Windham, Raymond, Casco, Frye Island, and part of Westbrook.
Incumbent Republican State Representative Barbara Bagshaw and incumbent Democrat State Senator Tim Nangle are each running for a third term with both having first been elected to their positions in 2022.
CANDIDATE PROFILES
MAINE HOUSE DISTRICT 106
BRADLEY YOUNGS Party: Democrat
Occupation: former golf professional, restaurant manager, stay-at-home father
Previous Elected Experience: none
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“Windham is my home and it is where my wife and I are raising our family. It is important to me that we have representation focused on what we want the future of Windham and our state to look like. I believe I have a better ability to work with my peers in order to make meaningful changes and I am motivated by helping the people in my town rather than having a spotlight on me. My goal in Augusta is to be a person who is trusted by people, regardless of party, as someone they can work with to solve a problem.”
What specific legislation do you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted? “As we are intentionally being thrust into the hands of artificial intelligence, I believe that we have to take a proactive approach to make sure our rights aren’t compromised. I plan on working on legislation that would prevent grocery stores and other retailers from instituting a dynamic pricing model. We are already seeing this happen in online shopping where people in different zip codes are shown different prices for the same items, and stores across the country already have patents to install these systems. It’s crucial to get ahead of these systems to protect our consumer rights.”
What do you think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it? “The most immediate needs we will be facing in this legislative session is how we ensure people are able to heat their homes and feed their families due to Federal cuts and war driven fuel prices. I believe we will have to increase funding for LIHEAP and supplement SNAP to keep people warm and fed through winter. Long term I believe residents in Windham want assurances that we have appropriate investments in infrastructure to coincide with growth. Right now, the state has growth minimums for municipalities. In order to better develop our infrastructure to support growth, I believe the state should allow towns who have consistently been far above that minimum two-year period to refocus on infrastructure needs.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money? “There are two needs that I see when we discuss property taxes. The first need is to update the state’s homestead exemption to better reflect home values in 2027. I believe we would have to gradually increase this exemption and increase the state share of the exemption, so towns aren’t left in an even deeper hole. The second need is to give municipalities alternative methods to collect revenues outside of blanket property taxes. As I have discussed with many homeowners, we need to have an alternative property tax for homes that are owned by those who reside outside of Maine. Many other states have similar programs, and that this revenue stream does not impact our full-time residents.”
Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district? “My primary budget concern is that we reduce the financial burden placed on our residents. It is time we reevaluate our income tax formula that was last updated in 2015. We also need to ensure we prioritize the basic items like our roads and infrastructure. There are consistently budget gaps in these areas, and our aging infrastructure is a growing concern amongst all Mainers.”
Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party? “I work with people all the time with whom I disagree. Oftentimes we have disagreements on the solutions to a problem, but the problem itself is a common thread. I have been successful in working through disagreements by listening to others and talking through many possible solutions.”
BARBARA BAGSHAW Party: Republican
Occupation: Current State Representative District 106
Previous elected experience/terms in office: Current State Representative District 106 serving on Education and Cultural Affairs committee.
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected? “This will be my third term. When I was first approached to run, I took time to think about it. I was sitting at home yelling at the television about the things happening in government. I decided I could either keep yelling at the television or run and be part of the change I wanted to see. I will continue supporting bills that lower taxes, reduce regulation, and lower energy costs. I will also submit a number of bills that constituents have asked me to introduce on their behalf.”
If an incumbent, please tell us about a specific bill that you personally proposed while in office that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it benefits the residents of your district? “It has been a pleasure serving my district as State Representative for the past four years. I have had several bills receive unanimous bipartisan reports. One of these was submitted on behalf of a constituent to provide free cancer screening for firefighters. I have also sponsored and co-sponsored numerous bipartisan bills. I recently completed going door-to-door to every house in the district for a third time, because it is very important for me to hear directly from the people I serve. I will submit legislation to place a cap on property taxes. My focus will be helping people afford to stay in their homes. I am proud of my record supporting lower taxes, less regulation, and lower energy costs.”
What do you think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it? “Affordability. I will continue to support lower taxes, less regulation, and lower energy costs. There is a big difference between lip service and action. You cannot claim to support lower property taxes while backing measures that raise them. You cannot claim to support lower energy costs while voting to increase them. People are tired of being lied to and manipulated. We have a spending problem in Augusta. We need to remember that we serve the people in our districts and work for them. Over the past eight years of single-party rule, property taxes have skyrocketed, more than 30 new taxes have been imposed, and numerous business-killing regulations have taken effect. This is not “Maine the way life should be.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money? “I intend to submit LD 1, a bill that will place a cap on property taxes. After speaking with numerous constituents, I know many feel as though they are being grabbed by the ankles, shaken upside down, and having their hard-earned money confiscated. We need to listen and apply common sense. As the Declaration of Independence states, government derives its power from the consent of the governed. I have not heard many people consent to having more and more of their money taken by government to spend as it sees fit. Government is the vehicle; the people are the drivers. It is imperative that we listen to the people we work for, and help them afford to stay in their homes.”
Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district? “I will continue to support legislation that controls out-of-control spending and taxes, reduces over-regulation that harms businesses, and lowers energy costs. As a member of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, I will also continue to advocate for academic excellence and parental rights.”
Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party? “I grew up in a family with two “Kennedy Democrat” parents. I visit every household in my district and enjoy talking with everyone. I believe what unites us is greater than what divides us. When we have a genuine conversation, common ground almost always emerges. I have sponsored and co-sponsored a number of bills with colleagues from the other side of the aisle. I am currently planning on submitting a constituent bill – requested by someone from the other side of the aisle – for senior tax stabilization. When someone calls my office, I do not check their party affiliation. I help them because that is the job the people of Windham hired me to do.”
MAINE HOUSE DISTRICT 107
MARK COOPER Party: Republican
Occupation: Business owner farmer, Building Contractor
Previous Elected Experience: Representative District 107 for one term
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“I had been approached by several legislators that knew me and asked me to run and represent Windham for several years. Serving in the Maine Legislature was something I had considered going back to my early 20s. Family and life kept me too busy then to make the commitment to represent Windham at the time. I believe that my broad experience over the past 40 years along with my common-sense approach is needed in Augusta.”
If an incumbent, please tell us about a specific bill that you personally proposed while in office that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it benefits the residents of your district? “I submitted three bills that passed committee, passed the House and Senate and were signed by Governor Mills into law. LD1702 is the bill most likely to impact Windham residents. LD 1702 "An Act to Amend Election Polling Place Restrictions." This bill placed more restrictions on polling place activities by candidates within 250 feet of polls. Bans any collection of signatures for Clean Elections or influencing voters whether the candidate's name is on the ballot or not including write-in candidates. The bill cleans up some gray areas not previously covered. This bill had the following Co-Sponsors Senator Hickman from Kennebec, Rep. Bagshaw Windham, Rep. Cray Palmyra, Rep. Hall Wilton, Rep Hepler Woolwich, Rep. Jackson Oxford, Rep. Parry Arundel, Rep. Perkins Dover Foxcroft, Sen. Timberlake Androscoggin. Senator Hickman and Representative Hepler both are Democrats that signed on. This bill passed unanimously in the House and Senate.”
What do think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it? “Currently the cost of living and taxation are two issues voters have been bringing up repeatedly. Some issues are controlled at a national level while local and statewide issues are something the legislature can work on. Local property taxes are a major issue, so are state taxation increases and Maine's $13 billion budget concerns. Maine legislation has pushed electricity rates to nearly the most expensive in nation over the past several years.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money? “The property tax burden has exploded for homeowners. Many seniors are concerned they may not be able to afford to keep their homes, and younger people fear they cannot afford to buy and own a home with the extreme rise in property taxes. Local municipal control of the budget is a key portion of slowing the rise in property taxes. From Augusta there are two key components including unfunded mandates passed that municipalities must implement and pay for. The other would be to increase the Homestead Property Tax Exemption. I support increasing the Homestead Property Tax Exemption for seniors and veterans as well as low-income families. There is increasing support to bring back legislation that would limit the percentage increase in budget that a municipality can make per year.”
Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district? “First and foremost is to bring the state budget back under control. In the last eight years our state budget has nearly doubled from $7 billion to $13 billion. Currently Governor Mills just announced a $1.2 billion shortfall. This is totally unacceptable. Over the past eight years Maine has endured a spending problem not a revenue shortage. Over those same years fraud and waste have reached levels well over $100 million per year. Taxpayer money that was stolen.”
Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party? “I have worked with legislators from both parties as well as independents on many bills and issues in the legislature. This has been especially visible on the Agriculture Conservation and Forestry committee I serve on. Frequently, along with the entire committee, I have worked to solve issues on bills that we may have disagreed on but were able to find common ground to agree on a solution. I have had bill co-sponsors from all parties and have also co-sponsored bills with members of all parties. Working together and finding common ground is critical to keep the Maine Legislature working for the people of Maine.”
JOSEPH CAMPBELL Party: Democrat
Occupation: Substitute Teacher
Previous Elected Experience: none
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected? “As a young Mainer, I want to fight to make sure the legislature is looking ahead, so our state can prosper not just today, but decades from now when the next generations reckon with our choices. I’m running for the House because I want working families in Windham and across Maine to be heard in Augusta, especially those who are starting out. I want to help build a Maine where young people can choose to stay in the state that is their home, without giving up affordability or opportunity. I will feel accomplished if, by the end of my term, I have helped move the needle to bring down the average age of a first-time home buyer, if Mainers are able to spend a lower fraction of their income on just keeping a roof over their head, and if we’ve done it without sacrificing our schools, infrastructure, or quality of life.”
What specific legislation do you intend to propose? How will it benefit the residents of your district if enacted? “For a start, I would like to increase the state's share of school funding. Maine has committed to funding 55 percent of the costs of school districts' Essential Programs and Services, with the actual state share varying based on each district's needs and ability to pay. Increasing the state's share of school funding will put the brakes on property-tax increases while ensuring that our schools, students, and educators have the resources they need.”
What is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it? “Housing costs have become simply unsustainable. Mainers at every stage of life, from young adults trying to buy a first home to seniors trying to retire in the homes they’ve loved for decades are being priced out across the board. As demand for affordable housing isn’t being met, prices continue to rise in a vicious cycle. I would support reforms that make smaller, more modest homes easier to build, such as flexible lot-size and permitting rules and infrastructure support for towns, while keeping communities involved in local decisions. Bringing back the starter home gives young families a path to ownership and gives renters more options, and more supply can ease pressure on housing costs and property tax bills over time.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money? “Property taxes in general are a blunt tool. They can be regressive and blind to whether or not residents can actually afford them, especially seniors and other folks on fixed incomes. The Property Tax Fairness Credit and the Homestead Exemption help where they can, and could be strengthened, but we need structural changes to actually address the problem. The more that we can shift toward state dollars, which are raised in a more progressive way, the less folks will feel punished by the real-estate value of their town, which they don’t control. The best ways I see to tackle property taxes are threefold: First, shifting school funding more toward the state, second, addressing the overall cost of housing, and third, potentially bolstering Maine’s Municipal Revenue sharing, which currently provides 5 percent of state sales and income taxes to the towns for the purposes of stabilizing towns’ property taxes.”
Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact residents of your district? “My priorities are keeping our schools well-funded, making housing affordable, and easing the burden on property taxpayers. These aren't separate problems. When the state falls short on schools, the gap lands on local property taxes, and when housing costs climb, families and seniors feel it twice, once in rent or mortgage payments and again at tax time. Prioritizing state support for education ensures Windham's schools have the resources they need, without every shortfall falling on local taxpayers. Second, I would support investments that help get more affordable homes built, including infrastructure support for towns and supporting the programs that keep vulnerable Mainers in their homes. Paying for this matters, as much as the priorities themselves. The state should lean on progressive revenue sources which reflect people's ability to pay, rather than leaning on property taxes, which are blind to whether residents can afford them.”
Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party? “As an educator, I'm used to things not going to plan. I work with students and teachers to make sure the essentials still happen when a day gets shaken up. That means balancing keeping students productive with being sensitive to the stresses they carry, and it only works with understanding and communication. Teenagers, as I’m sure many people in Windham already know, won't do much without both. In the legislature, I know I can't expect everyone to fall in line. The way to make progress across the aisle is to remember that every representative shares my basic goal: making life better for the people of their district. I'd start by listening to what members need for their communities, and look for common ground, like finding solutions to housing costs and property tax relief.”
MAINE HOUSE DISTRICT 86
ABIGAIL GEER Party: Democrat
Occupation: Community Organizer
Previous Elected Experience: Raymond Budget Finance Committee, 2021 to 2023
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected? “I'm running because I love helping people. I love listening to what matters to someone and what's on their mind and then thinking through ways to help. I see that as the heart of this job. I also have a young daughter. When I picture what Maine will be like when she’s my age, I want it to be easier for her to raise a family than it is for me to raise her today. That means I need to work on creating good jobs, affordable healthcare, and strong schools. If I'm elected, I want to be a representative people can call. I'll listen, follow through, and solve problems for constituents. In Augusta, I'll work toward a Maine where every child, and every Mainer, has a real chance to succeed.”
What specific legislation that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted?
“I'm a challenger, and I've already heard a long list of concerns from neighbors on this campaign. Before I propose new laws, I want to work through those issues one by one. Many of the problems people are facing could be solved by their representatives connecting them with the right agency or by fixing how an existing law gets applied. Good legislation starts with listening. Where I expect to propose legislation is property tax and income tax fairness.”
What do think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it? “The most important issue is whether people can afford to stay in Maine. I hear it at almost every door. We’re all reeling from tax bills climbing, especially seniors and those on fixed income and young families have to stretch every paycheck and cross their fingers. Part of the problem is that our tax system ignores how different a dollar feels at different income levels. Maine's income tax treats $64,450 a year the same way it treats $999,999 a year. A dollar means something very different to those two households! I'll work for a tax system that asks the most from those most able to pay, and less from working families and retirees. I'll measure every bill I vote on with one question: does this make it easier or harder for ordinary Mainers to stay in their homes and communities?”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money? “I’ll push for relief that recognizes long-time primary residences and protects people on fixed incomes. Second, the state needs to keep its promises to towns. When Augusta underfunds schools and municipal revenue sharing, the cost lands on local property tax bills. Third, many residents never hear about the relief programs that already exist. As your representative, I'll make sure people know about these programs and help them apply.”
Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district?
1. Property tax relief for seniors and people on fixed incomes. No one should lose a family home because of a tax bill. 2. Education. Strong state funding for our schools gives every child a good start and keeps the cost of education from falling on local property taxes. 3. Healthcare. Families in our district need care they can afford and reach. Together, these priorities mean lower pressure on household budgets, better schools for our kids, and a district where people of every age can afford to stay and thrive.
Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party? “When I worked at Park School, I could see teachers struggling with the work of determining which classrooms kids should be in for the next school year. So I built consensus around building a tool to support that work. I started by listening and learning what they needed. I identified the outcomes each stakeholder group wanted. I identified the priorities and values each group shared, and I developed a process to get there. People came in with different needs, and different ideas about how it should work. Focusing on the shared goal is what got us to a solution that transformed teachers’ work. I'll bring that same approach to Augusta. Most Mainers want to be able to take care of their families, afford a home they can keep comfortably warm in the winter, and do work they find meaningful and rewarding. That’s what we need to be collaborating toward.”
ROLF OLSEN Party: Republican
Occupation: Maine legislator and licensed Insurance Agent
Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: One term as State Legislator; 29 years on the Town of Raymond Budget/Finance committee including 15 years as chair; 9 years on Town of Raymond Select Board with 3 years as chair.
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected? “I ran for the State House because I understand the impact of state-level policies on local budgets. I spent years serving my community on the Select Board and the Budget Committee, and I understand the impact that rising property taxes have on residents in my towns. We need to hold Augusta accountable, and that means advocating for policies that will reduce the cost-of-living for working families. Whether it’s the skyrocketing cost of housing, rising electricity and heating costs, or simply buying groceries – Maine families need relief.”
If an incumbent, please tell us about a specific bill that you personally proposed while in office that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it benefits the residents of your district? “I was co-sponsor on over 30 bills and worked o rewriting 20 bills in committee. Topics included helping protection for Seniors from Bitcoin fraud, and other protection for seniors from fraud in mortgage look alike schemes. Also, items in healthcare, to help eliminate some of the certificate of need burdens on groups wishing to expand services. Items for the new legislature will be areas including expanding the homestead exemption, reducing tax burden and reducing fraud so the people who should benefit from programs actually receive the benefit.”
What do think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it? “First and foremost is a responsible budget that focuses on prioritizing the most pressing needs of the state, without increasing the tax burden on Maine families. Secondly, we need to address the high electricity costs that are facing Maine families, as well as rising property taxes. We do this by holding the departments accountable for their programs and revisiting subsidies to any of the energy producers. Property tax issues begin with no unfunded mandates and looking at any new programs to make sure they benefit the state as a whole, and not an isolated instance which are much better handled at the local level.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money? “The first step is a responsible budget. We also need to look at promises that were made and never kept as in the sales tax rate, which was supposed to have been a temporary increase but has turned into a legacy. The state needs to fully fund its mandates on local municipalities. We need to increase the homestead exemption, and we need to let decisions that should be local remain local, so the towns have better control over cost and property tax rates. We also need to rein in the exorbitant increases in licensing fees.”
Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district?
“First and foremost, we must ensure we do not do anything to increase the tax burden on Maine families and small businesses. Secondly, we need to ensure we are fully funding important safety net services for our elderly, disabled, children, and veterans. Third, we need to ensure we are funding a robust mental health system and making sustainable infrastructure investments to improve our roads and bridges.”
Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party?
“This is a daily occurrence at the State House and is the importance of the work in committee. In many cases we will start out with vastly different ideas on what legislation should be, but by talking with each other we find some common ground and work to get things modified that will be agreeable to both. The key is to keep communication lines open and recognize that we will always have differing opinions, but in more cases than not, we agree on more items than we disagree on. In a number of cases this term, by adjusting a timeline or dollar figure or agreeing to delay legislation to do additional study we were able to come to consensus and move things forward. There are many cases where the final legislation that came out of committee was nothing like the original language, but the modifications benefited the people of the state.”
MAINE SENATE DISTRICT 26
KENNY CIANCHETTE Party: Republican
Occupation: Owner/Operator Erik’s Church Bar and Grill
Previous Elected Experience: none
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected? “I made the decision in January 2026. In June 2025, Bill Diamond called me after I wrote a letter to the editor in this newspaper and thanked me for my honesty and encouraged me to run again. Losing Bill unexpectedly last year meant that the most prominent, courageous voice for the children in this state was no longer with us. I wanted his Senate colleagues to continue the fight, but knowing their terms were ending due to limits, I went to see if his passing had encouraged the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee to finally do the right thing. LD 555 was the capstone project he was working on at the time of his passing, and when I went to the public hearing for it at the HHS committee, I found, not only that the committee had stonewalled the legislation, but that the sole person missing from the hearing on the committee was Senator Tim Nangle. It was that day, sitting alongside Jane Diamond, that I had determined it was my duty to step into the political arena again, and to be the best fighter I can be for those innocent children. That is why I wear black, to remind myself, every day, that the biggest priority is to stop the loss of innocent life.”
What specific legislation do you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted? “I would propose items to reduce tax burdens for Mainers. Increase homestead exemption to $500,000, paid for by spending cuts at the state level and increased projected sales tax revenue without changing rate. Eliminate tax on tips, overtime, and income for active-duty members of our military and veterans. If you were willing to sacrifice your life for our freedom, you deserve to have the ability to keep the wages you earn. Eventually, I would like to see all income taxes removed as a way to incentivize productivity and make life more affordable in this state. Reinstitute a freeze on property tax hikes on seniors if the homestead exemption bill does not pass. Open up sources of low-cost available electricity by removing policies designed to reward big energy companies. Green technology is not the problem, it is corporate welfare for the industry that is making Maine’s utilities rates so expensive.”
What do think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it? “The most important issue is the unrelenting, and increasing, cost of living in Maine. Housing, healthcare, taxes, insurance, and many other aspects of everyday life have increased beyond sustainability. We must return to an appropriate budget at the state and local levels, work with industries to reduce input costs or policies that are artificially inflating our goods and services and encourage economic growth to begin to get ahead. As far as retirees are concerned, we need to take immediate action to stop their increasing costs, and preferably reverse them, as their incomes will not increase even during a period of economic growth. The senior property tax freeze that was eliminated with help from the vote by my opponent, needs to be restored.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money? “Very simple, homestead exemption. By law, we cannot tax properties differently based on their personal use, but we can provide relief to those who actually reside here, and pay income taxes here. The homestead exemption increase will keep most of the funding at the municipal level, give significant and immediate relief to taxpayers, and begin to change our tax structure to have out-of-staters, who use our services but don’t pay income taxes, to carry more of the burden, and encourage economic growth and workforce development by making more affordable mortgages, regardless of interest rates. At my proposed level, it would mean up to $9,800 in tax relief to a single property owner in Raymond. Relief targeted at Maine resident taxpayers.”
Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district? “Maine’s budget has exploded beyond our ability to service it. The weight of taxes, in the forms of income, property, gas, sales, streaming, and more, have destroyed the quality of life both in terms of cost of living, as well as the future outlook. Our focus needs to be how much and how quickly we can fix our tax structure, while creating accountability in our obligations such as welfare, infrastructure, and education, and not create burdensome new programs. We have wasted too much money on ‘investments’ that have benefitted other states, out of the pocket of the average working Mainer.”
Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party? “Prior to Windham, I served on the Portland Downtown improvement district board. As a board member we created a committee to address panhandling and homelessness challenges the downtown district was facing. I successfully opened up the dialogue and committee to include everyone from businesses, residents, property owners, and homeless advocates to be on a singular committee together. During those months, we investigated the root causes of the issue, discussed and debated the many complexities, and we were able to draft a singular document, of which all of these stakeholders co-signed, to present to the Portland City Council. Unfortunately, our recommendations were never adopted despite the fact that it had support from both the business and social advocacy communities. I recognized, through that experience, that the only way to affect positive change for our communities is to be in political office. As far as how I intend to work with members of the opposing party that is pretty easy. I already have positive relationships with legislators on the opposing side of the aisle, despite not holding public office myself. I will utilize that foundation to find common ground on issues. I will not compromise my principles, but I believe that decent people on both sides of the aisle are looking for a leader. My loyalty is only to Maine and our district, and it is never to a political party or leader. I have demonstrated that because that is who I am. Maine has been best served with an independent-minded senator from Windham, and I will restore that vital asset our state desperately needs.”
TIM NANGLE Party: Democrat
Occupation: IT Help Desk lead
Previous Elected Experience: Two terms Windham Town Council, and two terms Maine State Senate District 26
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected? “I am honored to serve in the Maine Senate. I have written and sponsored legislation to protect our lakes and rivers, expand affordable housing, keep veterans housed, strengthen consumer protections, and support victims of trafficking. As Chair of the Transportation Committee, I’ve advanced modern infrastructure across Maine. I'm deeply appreciative of the trust placed in me, and with my experience, I feel more prepared than ever to keep our state the best place to live.”
If an incumbent, please tell us about a specific bill that you personally proposed while in office that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it benefits the residents of your district? “This session I proposed and worked to pass numerous bills. I’m most proud of my proposal to give mobile home community residents ‘the right of first refusal.’ This legislation allows residents to obtain control of their own destiny. This legislation has been used by at least two mobile home communities in the state. I also proposed and worked to pass legislation that helps veterans at risk of homelessness by helping a veteran pay rent, contribute to security deposits etc. Veterans deserve our respect and should never be homeless. Victims of human trafficking also received support to allow them to continue to heal from the horrors of their lives. Protecting Maine consumers from greedy corporations is always a priority for me. I’ve introduced legislation that requires disclosure of the full cost of tickets, hotels and short-term rentals before checkout. I sponsored legislation that when purchasing cars online, the online dealer must meet the same requirements as brick-and-mortar dealerships in Maine and make subscription cancellations easier for every Maine resident.”
What do think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it?
“Right now, my most immediate concern is for residents and how are they going to stay warm this winter. I am glad to learn that the federal government has released $38 million in low-income heat electricity programs. An additional $4 million has been released by Maine Housing is available as well. I urge everyone to dial 222 to get help with heat and electricity costs. The legislature needs to work on making sure that everyone can find and afford housing. In the previous session we’ve enacted the eviction prevention program. This program helps low-income renters pay their rent. We know that it’s less expensive to help keep people housed, versus trying to find them housing after they’ve been evicted. I will continue to support budgets that maintain funding and support for healthcare, education, veterans and keep our environment clean.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money? “We also need to continue to investigate ways to help local taxpayers with meaningful property tax relief. In my opinion the state needs to reimburse cities and towns the full 100 percent of the Homestead Exemption. Currently the towns have to increase taxes to cover the unreimbursed portion of the exemption. There are a number of programs where we could try to increase funding that would share more state revenue with towns.”
Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district? “Education, Healthcare especially for children and whereas I’m the transportation committee chair, transportation issues and the budget.”
Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party? “I’ve worked with many members of the other party to successfully negotiate two unanimous highway fund budgets. It’s important to build relationships with every member of the transportation committee. Coming to agreement about our common priorities and then working together to try settle those differences ensures strong bi-partisan votes in both the Maine Senate and the Maine House of Representatives. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues regardless of their party to make sure Maine’s transportation network stays on the move.” <
