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| 2024 Election: | Joe Biden's book | Kamala Harris' book | Donald Trump's book | JD Vance's book | 2024 Senate Debates |
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| Book Reviews | |||||||||||||||
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(from Amazon.com) | |||||||||||||||
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(click a book cover for a review or other books by or about the presidency from Amazon.com) |
from State of Maine Archives (number of quotes indicated): |
| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details) |
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Abortion Charlie Summers: Funding for research on existing embryonic stem cell lines. Charlie Summers: Must consider incest or rape. Angus King: Favors abortion rights; opposes defunding Planned Parenthood. Betsy Sweet: Protect a woman's right to choose. Bruce Poliquin: Pro-life and proud of it. Charlie Summers: Abortions should always be legal. Chris Lyons: Oppose abortion as an unrestricted right. Chris Lyons: Life is precious; abortion only if maternal life at risk. Eliot Cutler: Unequivocally pro-choice; allow abortions via MaineCare. Eric Brakey: Pro-life, and anti-ObamaCare. Eric Brakey: Oppose funding Planned Parenthood; require parental consent. Janet Mills: No comment on lawsuit to expand abortion access. Janet Mills: Stand in the way of efforts to undermine right to abortion. Mary Mayhew: Ban abortions after 20 weeks, like most developed nations. Matt Dunlap: Abortions should always be legally available. Mike Michaud: Evolved from pro-life to pro-choice over period of 30 years. Sara Gideon: Backed in primary by abortion-rights groups. Sara Gideon: Protect & expand access to women's reproductive care. Shawn Moody: Strongly pro-life: opposes any tax dollars for abortion. Shawn Moody: 2010: private choice; 2018: ban with exceptions. Susan Collins: Joined Democrats to fund Planned Parenthood. Susan Collins: End unfair copays charged to veterans for contraception. Zak Ringelstein: Publicly-funded reproductive healthcare for women. David Costello: Support efforts to protect the reproductive rights of women. Demi Kouzounas: The Maine GOP is fighting to protect the lives of the unborn. Angus King: Overturning Roe robs millions of women of fundamental right. Demi Kouzounas: No national ban; abortion should come back to the states. Robert Charles: Abortion steals the gift of life from mothers. |
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Budget & Economy Charlie Summers: Wasteful spending, even on military, should be eliminated. Bruce Poliquin: Build a less intrusive and less expensive federal government. Chris Lyons: Market-led recovery better than stimulus. Eric Brakey: The government takes enough; we shouldn't raise taxes. Eric Brakey: Not just for economic freedom but also personal freedom. Janet Mills: Tax credit for new business will diversify economy. Janet Mills: History has shown that we cannot cut our way to prosperity. Janet Mills: Return half state surplus through direct checks to people. Mary Mayhew: Reduce taxes by deep budget cuts including family services. Matt Dunlap: Shore up availability of credit to stimulate job creation. Matt Dunlap: Shore up availability of credit to stimulate job creation. Paul LePage: Make the tough decisions to let American Dream survive. Paul LePage: Graded A by Cato Institute for cutting taxes, spending. Sara Gideon: COVID: prioritize small business, bolster unemployment funds. Susan Collins: We tried & failed in 2005 to tighten mortgage regulations. Tom Allen: Bush administration's debt has failed middle-class America. Tom Allen: Driving up debt & unbridled free market caused bank crisis. Demi Kouzounas: ARPA is a $2 trillion tax hike proposal. David Costello: Boost investments in transportation, energy infrastructure. Demi Kouzounas: End inflationary spending punishing hardworking Mainers. Ed Crockett: Invest in workforce development; support innovation. Robert Charles: If you double the budget it becomes unsustainable. Shenna Bellows: Budget cuts and reversals don't make any sense. |
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Civil Rights Angus King: Supports gay marriage. Betsy Sweet: Equal pay for women; plus commission on racial justice. Charlie Summers: No same-sex marriage; defined by Constitutional Amendment. Charlie Summers: Affirmative action ok, but not in contracting decisions. Charlie Summers: Marriage is between a man and a woman. Chris Lyons: Comfortable with same-sex marriage. Chris Lyons: Education will achieve affirmative action, not law. Chris Lyons: Government should have no say on same-sex marriage. Eliot Cutler: Worked to uphold a law legalizing same-sex marriage. Eliot Cutler: Early and vocal supporter of Maine's marriage equality. Eric Brakey: Leave transgender bathroom policy up to local school board. Janet Mills: Decries proposal to eliminate Civil Rights Funding. Janet Mills: Proud that Maine was first to vote for gay marriage. Janet Mills: Enacted law banning conversion therapy for minors. Matt Dunlap: Include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws. Matt Dunlap: Affirmative action ok, but not on state contracts. Mike Michaud: Would be 1st openly gay governor; but evolved on LGBT rights. Paul LePage: Confederate monuments are about a war for land. Sara Gideon: Husband solicited to run for town council; she ran instead. Sara Gideon: Support LGBTQ+ people everywhere. Shawn Moody: Marriage is one man & one woman, but respect will of voters. Zak Ringelstein: Supports women's rights and equal pay for equal work. Zak Ringelstein: People have the right to love who they want. David Costello: Protect reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms. Demi Kouzounas: Wants state party to be a little more inclusive and diverse. Demi Kouzounas: Adults can be with whoever they want. David Costello: Will support efforts to approve the Equal Rights Amendment. David Costello: Reform agenda including tribal sovereignty. Janet Mills: Mills to Trump on trans athletes: We'll see you in court . Robert Charles: Title IX protects women, not males who think they are women. |
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Corporations Eliot Cutler: Examine corporate tax breaks; avoid clawbacks by better deal. Eric Brakey: Cut $400M in corporate welfare & return it to the people. Janet Mills: Won $21.5M settlement against S&P's mortgage practices. Mary Mayhew: Keeping government out of business creates good paying jobs. Paul LePage: Depreciate bonuses; reduce business tax rate to under 8%. Paul LePage: Capital investment goes where it is welcomed. Paul LePage: AdWatch 2010: only candidate from both business & government. Paul LePage: OpEd: Opposed to the basic functions of government. Paul LePage: Maine is "open for business" by "cutting red tape". Shawn Moody: Run the state like I've run my business. Shawn Moody: Address red tape; focus on recruiting businesses. Susan Collins: Excess corporate pay rewards risk-taking over results. Tea Party: OpEd: Opposed to the basic functions of government. Janet Mills: Direct economic relief to nearly 1000 small businesses. Angus King: Close corporate tax loopholes: 15% corporate tax minimum. Janet Mills: I have opposed increasing our corporate tax rates . |
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Crime Angus King: Opposes the death penalty. Angus King: More prisons, but more alternative sentencing. Charlie Summers: Mandatory jail for drug crimes; penalties for online crimes. Charlie Summers: Supports the federal death penalty. Chris Lyons: Stricter punishment doesn't reduce crime. Cynthia Dill: Alternative penalties for non-violent offenders. Eliot Cutler: Assure support services for victims of domestic violence. Eric Brakey: Being pro-life is why I oppose the death penalty. Janet Mills: Expand personnel to fight crime in courtrooms and computers. John Baldacci: End parole for repeat violent offenders. Mary Mayhew: imprisonment for life as a deterrent to crime. Matt Dunlap: Alternative penalties for non-violent offenders. Paul LePage: Victim's Compensation Fund to address domestic violence. Shawn Moody: Law enforcement needs all the right tools to catch criminals. David Costello: Focus increased resources on violent offenses. Angus King: Defund localities that defund police . Demi Kouzounas: We've lost respect for those that protect us. Robert Charles: Back our troopers, unleash a full-force crackdown. |
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Drugs Betsy Sweet: Expand substance abuse treatment. Betsy Sweet: Legalize and promote industrial hemp. Charlie Baker: Opposed legalizing marijuana, but implemented it once passed. Charlie Summers: Mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs. Chris Lyons: Marijuana isn't a gateway drug. Eliot Cutler: Legalizing marijuana sends message that drug use is OK. Eliot Cutler: Legal pot makes drugs seem ok, but prohibition isn't working. Eric Brakey: Supports legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Eric Brakey: Supports Question 1: implement regulated marijuana market. James Boyle: Allow marijuana for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Janet Mills: Legalize recreational marijuana and bring in millions. Janet Mills: Investigate role of opioid manufacturers in drug abuse. Janet Mills: Signed 2019 law for regulating adult-use marijuana market. Mary Mayhew: Joint effort needed to provide effective drug treatment. Mike Michaud: Real concerns about the impact of pot legalization on kids. Mike Michaud: Legal pot makes drug more accessible to children and teens. Mike Thibodeau: Supports Question 1: implement regulated marijuana market. Mike Thibodeau: Allow marijuana for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Paul LePage: Mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients. Paul LePage: Upholding the law includes illegal marijuana. Paul LePage: Oppose legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Paul LePage: Veto implementation of regulated marijuana market. Sara Gideon: Treatment for opioid addiction; hold big pharma accountable. Sara Gideon: Voted to regulate marijuana legalization in Maine. Sara Gideon: Don't allow marijuana for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Shawn Moody: Strengthen criminal code & stem tide of illegal trafficking. Shawn Moody: Opposes legalizing recreational marijuana despite 2016 vote. Shenna Bellows: Supports marijuana legalization. Shenna Bellows: Three past presidents acknowledged use; legalize pot. Susan Collins: Provide prison inmates with drug addiction treatment. Susan Collins: Declines to take sides in marijuana legalization petition. Zak Ringelstein: Fighting Opioid epidemic begins with pharmaceutical reform. Janet Mills: Expert in substance abuse for every child welfare district. Angus King: Rated A- by NORML: legalize recreational marijuana. David Costello: Increase funding for substance abuse, mental health services. Demi Kouzounas: We need someone concerned about drugs, fentanyl addiction. Janet Mills: Time to better regulate the market for medical cannabis. Robert Charles: Worked with allies to dismantle global drug cartels. |
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Education Angus King: Public schools are the idea at the heart of democracy. Angus King: More teacher development; more school construction. Angus King: Include both abstinence and safe sex in sex-ed. Angus King: Simplify repayment & refinance student loans. Betsy Sweet: Pay teachers better; cut back on standardized tests. Bruce Poliquin: Expand from 10 charters to more parental choices. Charlie Summers: Supports vouchers, charters, magnet schools, standard tests. Chris Lyons: Vouchers for school choice. Cynthia Dill: More funding for schools, teachers, and Head Start. Eliot Cutler: Earlier schooling; longer school year; more school funding. Eliot Cutler: Pay it Forward, Pay it Back: tuition-free college. Eliot Cutler: Cautious support for virtual charter schools. Eliot Cutler: Try out Common Core standards before tweaking them. Eric Brakey: Support private schools, charter schools, or homeschooling. Eric Brakey: Competition will improve our schools. Janet Mills: Commission on Education Reform must follow open meetings law. Janet Mills: Expand pre-school; pay teachers a living wage. Janet Mills: Invest $126M in public schools, and $18M for child services. Janet Mills: Restore budget cuts to higher education. Janet Mills: $6 million in low/no interest loans for childcare facilities. Janet Mills: Make two years of community college free. Janet Mills: Met state's commitment to fund 55% of cost of education. Mary Mayhew: Parents should have access to multiple education choices. Paul LePage: Supports charter schools and virtual schools. Paul LePage: Strong support for charter schools, virtual or otherwise. Paul LePage: Virtual charter schools are not the right answer. Paul LePage: 2011: Signed onto Common Core, but now skeptical. Rick Perry: Denounced Common Core standards publicly. Sara Gideon: Access to high quality K-12 education for every family. Sara Gideon: Tackle student debt crisis; expand trade, technical training. Shawn Moody: Parental and local control in education curriculum. Shenna Bellows: Voucher programs siphon public school money. Susan Collins: Allow employers to help pay employee student debt. Tea Party: Common Core is "ObamaCore" or "Commie Core". Zak Ringelstein: Do away with school privatization; invest in public schools. Zak Ringelstein: Refinance student loans at lower rates. Janet Mills: Free community college is working; let's keep it up. David Costello: Provide universal pre-kindergarten and aftercare. Demi Kouzounas: Concerned about transgender identity video for children. Demi Kouzounas: Forgiving student loans costs money & inflation. Demi Kouzounas: Oversaw platform that would effectively end sex education. Ed Crockett: Invest in students by supporting Maine's public education. Robert Charles: I'll remove woke politics from the classroom. |
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Energy & Oil Betsy Sweet: Invest in solar, wind, hydro, mass transit, & electric cars. Bruce Poliquin: Fully develop all sources of domestic energy. Charlie Summers: Off-shore exploration for oil, plus nuclear and coal. Chris Lyons: Oppose prioritizing green energy. Cynthia Dill: Encourage conservation and renewable energy. Eliot Cutler: Burning fossil fuels is more and more problematic. Eliot Cutler: Reduce carbon emissions to Kyoto Protocol targets. Janet Mills: Wean ourselves off fossil fuels. Janet Mills: Maine to fight climate change and become green. Janet Mills: Combat climate change: offshore wind & electric incentives. Janet Mills: Bring back wind platforms to Maine. Janet Mills: Double Maine's clean energy jobs over next ten years. Mary Mayhew: Wind energy needs transparent commission, not moratorium. Matt Dunlap: Invest in weatherization programs and maintain LIHEAP. Paul LePage: Global warming helps Maine by opening north shipping lanes. Paul LePage: Build a natural gas pipeline from Canada. Paul LePage: Imposed a moratorium on new wind turbine permits. Paul LePage: Paid $7500 by lobbyists to advocate for hydropower corridor. Paul LePage: FactCheck: misinformed that windmills use electric motors. Sara Gideon: Bold, immediate action on climate change. Sara Gideon: Passed aggressive goals reducing carbon emissions in Maine. Sara Gideon: Rejoin Paris Agreement; invest in clean energy. Shawn Moody: Door's open to renewable energy, but no subsidies. Shawn Moody: Doesn't believe human activity contributes to climate change. Shenna Bellows: Green energy solutions instead of nuclear energy. Susan Collins: Double funding for low-income home weatherization programs. Tom Allen: 1%-interest loan for home weatherization projects. Zak Ringelstein: Curb emissions & return to Paris Agreement. Janet Mills: 100% of our electricity to come from clean energy by 2040. David Costello: An aggressive national, science-based climate action plan. Janet Mills: We must, and we will, continue to address climate change. David Costello: Reallocate fossil fuel subsidies to clean energy initiatives. David Costello: Funding to mitigate the growing impacts of climate change. Angus King: We are fiddling while the planet burns. Demi Kouzounas: Opposes wind energy; opposes carbon reduction. Demi Kouzounas: Radical Democrats support the Green New Deal. Robert Charles: Democrats more interested in subsidies for "green" crap. |
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Environment Angus King: Support EPA brownfield program for industrial cleanup. Betsy Sweet: Reduce, re-use, recycle. Chris Lyons: Fight EPA regulatory over-reach. Eliot Cutler: Helped Senator Ed Muskie craft the Clean Air Act. Eliot Cutler: More bus services, dedicated HOV lanes, and bike routes. Janet Mills: Joins coalition to reject proposed cuts in funding to EPA. John Baldacci: 2003: Vetoed ban on foreign workers in logging industry. Mary Mayhew: Environmental stewardship that also respects businesses. Mike Michaud: AdWatch: Replace LePage with a pro-environment governor. Paul LePage: Abstain from EPA petition to cut Midwest emissions. Paul LePage: Change environmental laws to replace red tape with jobs. Paul LePage: Stop manufacturer recycling; start cost-benefit analyses. Paul LePage: Vetoed ban on foreign workers in logging industry. Paul LePage: Land preservation reduces tax revenue. Paul LePage: FactCheck: Maine EPA never counted buffaloes nor black flies. Paul LePage: Outsourced regulatory decisions to make the less harmful. Shawn Moody: Voluntarily adopted eco-friendly practices at Moody's. Zak Ringelstein: Believes in climate change and protecting our environment. Janet Mills: Strengthen our ability to detect and mitigate PFAS. David Costello: Enact more stringent air and water quality regulations. Angus King: Phase out single-use plastic and foam . Ed Crockett: Legislation to protect wildlife and preserve landscape. |
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Families & Children Eliot Cutler: Empower women to succeed at home and at work. Janet Mills: More than $12 million to increase pay for childcare workers. Janet Mills: Budget will fully fund universal free meals in our schools. Paul LePage: Vetoed right to breast-fed at work. Shenna Bellows: Ran micro-credit program for Women in Development. Zak Ringelstein: Commit to fully funding disability programs. Zak Ringelstein: Families are the backbones to society and need full support. David Costello: Provide universal pre-kindergarten and aftercare. Demi Kouzounas: It's child sexual abuse to teach kids multiple genders. Janet Mills: No child should have to learn on an empty stomach. |
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Foreign Policy Chris Lyons: Oppose American Exceptionalism. Eliot Cutler: China's future is like America in 1890s: booming and growing. Eric Brakey: Crazy that we have our troops in 177 different countries. Eric Brakey: Deposing secular dictators in Mid-East empowers our enemies. Shenna Bellows: Served for two years in Peace Corps, in Panama. Susan Rice: Didn't want to be pigeonholed as "black working on Africa". Zak Ringelstein: America is best when working for global peace & partnerships. David Costello: Expand military and intelligence gathering alliances. David Costello: Engage more fully and responsibly in world affairs. Demi Kouzounas: China planned pandemic to harm Trump's re-election. Janet Mills: Maine stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. |
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Free Trade Bruce Poliquin: Promote trade and investment opportunities. Charlie Summers: Free trade yes, but sanctions on Venezuela. Charlie Summers: I support free trade, but protect shoe factories. Chris Lyons: Support & expand free trade. Cynthia Dill: Keep tariffs against foreign products that compete unfairly. Eric Brakey: I don't think tariffs are a good thing. Shenna Bellows: NAFTA damaged our manufacturing sector; so will TPP. Susan Collins: Some trade agreements have resulted in more tariffs. Susan Rice: US beneficiary of free trade; don't cede leadership to China. Tom Allen: Review existing trade agreements that damaged US economy. Zak Ringelstein: Protect economy from harmful international trade agreements. David Costello: Strengthen trade and foreign policy agencies and agreements. Demi Kouzounas: Bring jobs back by adding a little bit more tariffs. Janet Mills: Urge the president to stop these unnecessary tariffs. Janet Mills: Broad tariffs increase prices, cause havoc to economy. Shenna Bellows: Tariffs on Canada will increase cost of Maine license plates. Susan Collins: Voted with Democrats to undo tariffs on Canadian goods. |
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Government Reform Angus King: Restrict and disclose all campaign donations & spending. Betsy Sweet: Only Democrat to use Maine's taxpayer-funded election system. Betsy Sweet: Publicly funded federal election system. Bruce Poliquin: 12-year term limit on members of Congress. Charlie Summers: OpEd: Pushes for voter registration, with his name on ballot. Chris Lyons: Make voter registration easier. Eric Brakey: Independent redistricting & automatic voter registration. Eliot Cutler: Oppose all efforts to restrict access to the ballot box. Janet Mills: Let college students vote where they attend college. Janet Mills: Undisclosed political money is corrosive to democracy. John Baldacci: Limit political campaign donations. Matt Dunlap: No campaign donation limits; just disclosure. Paul LePage: Investigate and report publicly on false campaign statements. Paul LePage: 2010: Voluntarily limited donors to $9,500, with disclosure. Paul LePage: 2013: no government transparency; no campaign disclosure. Paul LePage: Vetoed increased penalties on campaign finance disclosure. Sara Gideon: $500 fine for campaign finance ethics violation. Sara Gideon: Worked in Maine to pass automatic voter registration. Sara Gideon: End influence of big money on our elections and officials. Shenna Bellows: Funding her campaign $5 at a time from local events. Susan Collins: Reform public financing system to get more opt-in. Susan Collins: Outrageous for IRS to target Tea Party groups. Susan Rice: Supports National Voter Registration Day. Tea Party: More power is being taken by government. Zak Ringelstein: Ultra rich are buying our elected leaders & control policy. Zak Ringelstein: Protect democracy from corrupting influence of big money. Zak Ringelstein: Independent redistricting & automatic voter registration. Zak Ringelstein: Overturn Citizens United; disclose campaign donations. David Costello: Mandate automatic voter registration, early and mail voting. David Costello: U.S. Senate is obscenely undemocratic. Demi Kouzounas: Deeply concerned about possibility of election fraud. David Costello: Substantial reforms to overcome partisan gridlock. David Costello: 24-year term limits for Congress; retirement age for judges. Demi Kouzounas: Declare electronic voting machines unconstitutional. David Costello: Restructure Senate based on state population. Robert Charles: Education bureaucrats are heavy handed with states. Shenna Bellows: Attempted to keep Trump off ballot as insurrectionist. |
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Gun Control Angus King: Supports gun rights. Bruce Poliquin: Strong supporter of the Second Amendment. Charlie Summers: Allow individuals to carry concealed guns. Chris Lyons: Absolute right to gun ownership. Eric Brakey: Bipartisan Republican leads the charge to less gun control. Eric Brakey: The second amendment is essential for liberty. Eliot Cutler: Restrict access to firearms via universal background checks. Eric Brakey: Oppose background checks for individual gun transfers. Eric Brakey: Allow concealed carry guns without a permit. Janet Mills: Ban bump stocks and high-capacity magazine. Jared Golden: Oppose concealed carry without a permit. John Baldacci: Allow concealed carry. Mary Mayhew: Pro gun ownership and armed guards wherever needed. Matt Dunlap: Ease or repeal restrictions on purchase & possession of guns. Mike Thibodeau: Allow concealed carry guns without a permit. Paul LePage: Allow concealed carry guns without a permit. Sara Gideon: Endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety for gun-sense majority. Sara Gideon: Oppose concealed carry without a permit. Shawn Moody: Pro 2nd Amendment; wants armed officials in high schools. Shawn Moody: Right to bear arms "shall never be questioned. Shenna Bellows: Was NRA member, but left because they became too extreme. Zak Ringelstein: Most Americans wants gun control but NRA stops it. David Costello: Strengthen our nation's gun safety laws and regulations. Janet Mills: Close private sale loophole on background checks. Angus King: Implement red flag laws; expand background checks. Demi Kouzounas: Very concerned with gun rights. Janet Mills: It's the government's responsibility to prevent gun violence. Robert Charles: 2nd Amendment particularly important in rural areas. Shenna Bellows: Allow towns to ban guns at polling places. |
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Health Care Betsy Sweet: Supports universal coverage including alternative therapies. Bruce Poliquin: Replace ObamaCare with cross-state & group insurance. Chris Lyons: Oppose ObamaCare. Chris Lyons: Insurance companies benefit from ObamaCare; people don't. Cynthia Dill: Medicaid and Medicare programs need to be strengthened. Eliot Cutler: Universal access to essential health care services. Eric Brakey: Apply principles of freedom to broken healthcare system. Eric Brakey: Do better than backdoor deals that led to ObamaCare. Janet Mills: Her office took on drug manufacturer Mylan on price gouging. Janet Mills: Medicaid expansion helps everyone. Janet Mills: Expanding MaineCare helps needy & helps hospitals. John Baldacci: Ensure access to basic health care. Mary Mayhew: Absolutely opposed to Medicaid expansion. Matt Dunlap: ObamaCare individual mandate is constitutional. Paul LePage: MaineCare recipients contribute to statewide health coverage. Paul LePage: Budgetary limits on Medicaid expansion. Paul LePage: COVID: Spoke against shutdown while quarantined in car. Paul LePage: Almost eradicated public health nursing in Maine. Paul LePage: ObamaCare will make IRS into Gestapo enforcers. Sara Gideon: Public option for Medicare, but not Medicare-for-All. Sara Gideon: Complete the work started under Affordable Care Act. Sara Gideon: Reduce prescription costs; protect pre-existing conditions. Sara Gideon: Let government negotiate to lower cost of drugs. Sara Gideon: Strongly oppose raising Medicare eligibility age. Sara Gideon: Let Medicare negotiate drug prices; allow imports. Shawn Moody: Citizen referendum decided Medicaid expansion: make it work. Shawn Moody: Wants health insurance open to competition amongst states. Shenna Bellows: Supports ObamaCare & universal health coverage. Susan Collins: Helped pass law lowering drug prices, speeding generics. Susan Collins: Improve advance transparency on medical billing. Susan Collins: Authored law letting pharmacists help patients save money. Susan Collins: Strong supporter of home care. Zak Ringelstein: ObamaCare helped; but supports Medicare single payer. Janet Mills: Independent of Medicaid we're also providing dental care. Janet Mills: I want to expand behavioral health services across Maine. David Costello: Offer Medicare, including dental/vision, to all who want it. Angus King: Resources to LGBTQ youth for mental health/ prevent suicide. Demi Kouzounas: ObamaCare will bring rationing of healthcare. Janet Mills: Choice shouldn't be between medical care and paying bills. Ed Crockett: Options for affordable, high-quality, long-term healthcare. Susan Collins: Extend ACA tax credits, but also need some reforms. |
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Homeland Security ACLU: Require a warrant to get location info from cell phones. Angus King: Ok to target suspected terrorists outside of war zones. Bruce Poliquin: NSA tracking of US citizens violates 4th Amendment. Bruce Poliquin: Top spending priority is full financing of military. Charlie Summers: Military tribunals for terrorists; deploy National Guard. Chris Lyons: Don't expand the military. Cynthia Dill: Cut military spending such as weapons systems. Cynthia Dill: Opposes unlimited detention of terror suspects. Eric Brakey: Apply limited government philosophy to the military. James Boyle: Require a warrant to get location info from cell phones. Mary Mayhew: Veterans should get all benefits earned, in a timely manner. Mike Thibodeau: Don't require warrant to get location info from cell phones. Paul LePage: Wreaths Across America: thank our men and women in uniform. Paul LePage: Don't require warrant to get location info from cell phones. Sara Gideon: Make sure that services vets have earned remain available. Sara Gideon: Require a warrant to get location info from cell phones. Shawn Moody: Stand behind veterans: offer school, jobs and services. Shenna Bellows: No spying on foreign leaders NOR on ordinary Americans. Shenna Bellows: Snowden was a whistle-blower, not a criminal. Shenna Bellows: We cannot afford to be the world's policemen. Shenna Bellows: NSA should target only based on individualized suspicion. Susan Collins: No justification for spying on Germany's chancellor. Susan Collins: Cuts in defense are very troubling to me personally. Susan Collins: Mass surveillance justified by national security. Susan Collins: Mass unwarranted surveillance is never justified. Susan Collins: Increase transparency of NSA but keep NSA programs. Zak Ringelstein: Veterans need homes and proper health care; they earned it. David Costello: Expand military and intelligence gathering alliances. Janet Mills: Condemned Trump sending troops to California. Robert Charles: Served on active duty at the Pentagon following 9/11 attacks. |
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Immigration Betsy Sweet: Pay for transition costs of new Mainers. Bruce Poliquin: Legal immigration is good for America; illegal isn't. Charlie Summers: No citizenship for illegals; yes temporary worker visas. Chris Lyons: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens. Eric Brakey: Secure the border and keep immigrants off welfare. Eric Brakey: We must put our citizens first. Janet Mills: Condemns President's ban on refugees. Jean Hay Bright: Clamp down on undocumented workers via employers. Mary Mayhew: Slash funds for new immigrants & asylum seekers. Paul LePage: Welcome immigrants, but no welfare for legal non-citizens. Paul LePage: Build border fence as high as the Great Wall of China. Sara Gideon: Urged support for DREAM Act. Sarah Palin: Has not often expressed views on illegal immigration. Shawn Moody: Work with federal officials against illegal immigrants. Susan Collins: Co-sponsored bill for path to citizenship for DREAMers. Zak Ringelstein: Welcomes immigrants as assets to both society and economy. David Costello: Comprehensive reform, resolve nation's worker shortages. Demi Kouzounas: Illegal immigrants, drugs, and guns are crossing our border. Demi Kouzounas: DACA is unconstitutional executive action (oppose DREAMers). Robert Charles: Maine's Democrats are challenging removal of illegal aliens. Susan Collins: Allow foreign religious workers to stay in the U.S. |
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Jobs Angus King: Keep 900 shoe factory jobs in Maine. Angus King: Protected jobs in forests & Bath Iron Works. Angus King: Supports federal minimum wage increase; but not $15. Betsy Sweet: Supports $15 minimum wage and strong unions. Chris Lyons: Oppose affirmative action in hiring. Eliot Cutler: Zealously guard against interference in unionization efforts. Eric Brakey: Oppose increasing minimum wage; it takes out the bottom rung. Eric Brakey: Restrict employer's access to employee social media accounts. Eric Brakey: Employers can pay tipped workers half minimum wage. Janet Mills: Scholarships & boosted retirement benefits for firefighters. Janet Mills: Raise minimum wage to $12 by 2020. Janet Mills: Goal: 100% of students have option of paid internships. Jared Golden: Fought for fair and equal pay, in state legislature. Jared Golden: Restrict employer's access to employee social media accounts. Jared Golden: Don't limit tipped workers to half minimum wage. Jean Hay Bright: Raise the minimum wage, then adjust it annually. Mike Michaud: AdWatch: Unions endorse Michaud "to represent Maine workers". Mike Thibodeau: Restrict employer's access to employee social media accounts. Mike Thibodeau: Employers can pay tipped workers half minimum wage. Paul LePage: Reduce red tape for permitting for principled job creators. Paul LePage: Vetoed incrementally raising the state's minimum wage. Paul LePage: Are low-wage call-center jobs the kind we want? Paul LePage: Allow employer's access to employee social media accounts. Paul LePage: Employers can pay tipped workers half minimum wage. Paul LePage: Able-bodied Maine residents are refusing to work. Sara Gideon: Prioritize needs of small businesses; raise minimum wage. Sara Gideon: Restrict employer's access to employee social media accounts. Sara Gideon: Don't limit tipped workers to half minimum wage. Sara Gideon: Co-sponsored bill to give unions access to public employees. Shawn Moody: Make it easier for job creators: create a service hotline. Shawn Moody: Roll back minimum wage increase. Shenna Bellows: Increase minimum wage to make it a living wage. Susan Collins: For Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. Zak Ringelstein: Create jobs by investment in land grants and infrastructure. Zak Ringelstein: Increase minimum wage to $15/hour & tie to inflation. David Costello: Increase federal Child and Earned Income Tax Credits. Demi Kouzounas: Keep bureaucrats off our lobster boats & fishing waters. Demi Kouzounas: Supports right-to-work laws. |
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Principles & Values Chris Lyons: Keep God in the public sphere. Chris Lyons: Personal belief in God is fine; government action is not. Janet Mills: We are not Washington; we are Maine. Janet Mills: Brother, a State Senator, ran for governor in 2010. Paul LePage: Tea Party dominance over New England Republicanism. Paul LePage: First language is French; grew up in Little Canada region. Sara Gideon: Public service is about improving the lives of people. Sara Gideon: Courts pushed to the right, favors independent judiciary. Shenna Bellows: Head of Maine ACLU, and community organizer. Shenna Bellows: Calls herself a progressive libertarian. Susan Collins: Focuses on seniority & forging bipartisan solutions. Susan Collins: Nine is good number for seats on Supreme Court. Susan Rice: Fierce love of country should override disagreements. Tea Party: 2010 Tea Party victories grew to 2014 Republican dominance. Paul LePage: 2020 election was clearly stolen, and so was 2018. Demi Kouzounas: Donated time for dental care for children, needy, elderly. Demi Kouzounas: Former chair of Maine GOP. Ed Crockett: Never held a party position; I do not answer to party bosses. Janet Mills: Pope Francis inspired millions of people--of all faiths. Robert Charles: Teaching the divine beauty of the universe is dismissed. Shenna Bellows: Maine is the best place on earth. Shenna Bellows: We the people do have the power to make change. |
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Social Security Bruce Poliquin: Adjustments to future retirees, but not current ones. Charlie Summers: Invest portion of workers' payroll tax in private accounts. Charlie Summers: Remove disability coverage from Social Security. Chris Lyons: Privatize Social Security. Cynthia Dill: Stop raiding Social Security Trust Fund. Eliot Cutler: Support & strengthen the foundations for Social Security. Jean Hay Bright: "Promote the General Welfare" is our founding principle. Matt Dunlap: Remove cap on earnings to sustain system. Mike Michaud: Soc. Sec. & Medicare secure retirement; they're not welfare. Paul LePage: Medicare and Social Security are really just welfare. Paul LePage: Keep our promise; don't tax Social Security. Paul LePage: Cut pension cost-of-living increases to reduce other taxes. Sara Gideon: Protect Social Security, Medicare from cuts & privatization. Sara Gideon: Raise the earning cap so wealthiest pay their fair share. Scott D`Amboise: Option to invest in private retirement program. Shenna Bellows: Scrap the cap; apply payroll tax over $113,700. Shenna Bellows: Scrap the Cap: highest-paid Americans pay their fair share. Susan Collins: Foundation of retirement income for most Americans. Zak Ringelstein: Social Security needs expansion; seniors need more benefits. David Costello: Raise FICA tax cap, increase benefits to low-income retirees. Janet Mills: Social Security. Janet Mills: Recommit to the promise of the Social Security Act. |
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Tax Reform Angus King: Decrease income taxes, but no flat tax. Betsy Sweet: Level the playing field; more taxes for the top 20%. Bruce Poliquin: Reduce taxes to create jobs. Chris Lyons: Oppose higher taxes on the wealthy. Cynthia Dill: Require the wealthy to pay their fair share. Eliot Cutler: Shift burden from property tax as part of strategic reform. Eric Brakey: Voted against raising the lodging tax to 10.5%. Eric Brakey: No additional 3% tax on income above $200,000. Mary Mayhew: Cut tax burden for employers. Paul LePage: End marriage penalty; increase personal exemptions. Paul LePage: Threatened to veto bills unless state income tax abolished. Paul LePage: No to treating forgivable PPP loans as taxable state income. Paul LePage: Reduced state income tax to 4%; would prefer 0%. Paul LePage: As mayor: keep state taxes; as governor: cut state taxes. Sara Gideon: Roll back Trump tax cuts; breaks for hardworking families. Shawn Moody: You can't tax young people if we want to attract them here. Shawn Moody: Tight N'Up spending; reduce income tax; provide transparency. Zak Ringelstein: GOP tax bill did little for those that needed it the most. David Costello: Ensure tax fairness via progressive tax reforms. Demi Kouzounas: Inflationary spending that is punishing taxpayers. Janet Mills: Raise cigarette excise tax for the first time in two decades. Ed Crockett: For smart property tax reform. Janet Mills: Legislature must act on conforming to federal tax changes. Robert Charles: Eliminate burdensome regulations and abolish the income tax. |
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Technology Eliot Cutler: Invest capital in our backbone infrastructure. Eric Brakey: Net Neutrality is heavy-handed government control. Janet Mills: $2M for broadband; $5M for rural development. Janet Mills: Proposes $15 million to expand broadband. Janet Mills: Loss of net neutrality is a giveaway to huge corporations. Janet Mills: High speed internet as fundamental as electricity. Janet Mills: Universal high-speed internet for Maine by 2024. Paul LePage: New website to see how Maine tax dollars are spent. Shenna Bellows: Total Information Awareness undermines our democracy. Zak Ringelstein: Create federal law protecting net neutrality. David Costello: Require social media to adhere to strict privacy rules. |
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War & Peace Charlie Summers: Keep troop levels high in Iraq until "peace surge". Bruce Poliquin: Congress' approval before going to war; stay out of Syria. Charlie Summers: More support for Afghanistan; more sanctions for North Korea. Charlie Summers: Iraq & Afghanistan have taken a turn for the positive. Chris Lyons: Avoid foreign entanglements. Cynthia Dill: Afghanistan is not as irresponsible as was Iraq. Eric Brakey: Learn from the past: we don't need another Mideast war. Eric Brakey: Ok to withdraw from Iran nuke deal so Trump can negotiate. Matt Dunlap: We cannot stand by while Syria slaughters its citizens. Matt Dunlap: Iraq war was poorly thought out and enormously expensive. Sara Gideon: Congress must provide oversight over military action. Sarah Palin: Generally supportive of America's presence in Iraq. Scott D`Amboise: Time to bring our troops home from Afghanistan. Susan Collins: Exert economic pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear program. Susan Rice: Benghazi investigations became "gotcha" game. Susan Rice: We sold out the Kurds in Syria. Susan Rice: National security endangered by lack of communication. Susan Rice: Small U.S. military presence in Syria fought ISIS threat. Tom Allen: We need strong economic sanctions against Iran. Zak Ringelstein: Favors diplomacy against potential nuclear threats. Demi Kouzounas: Israel is our greatest ally in the Middle East. |
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Welfare & Poverty ACLU: Critical to let immigrants receive public assistance. Bruce Poliquin: War on Poverty has failed after spending $16 trillion. Charlie Summers: Welfare recipients must work or train 40 hours a week. Cynthia Dill: Increased work requirements for able-bodied recipients. Eliot Cutler: Never abandon citizens who are unemployed, ill, or hungry. Eliot Cutler: We need welfare reform but not demonization of recipients. Eric Brakey: Disallow using food stamps to purchase junk food. Eric Brakey: Allow some immigrants to receive public assistance. Janet Mills: Demands release of publically funded welfare study. Janet Mills: Build nearly 1000 more affordable homes over 8 years. Jared Golden: Allow some immigrants to receive public assistance. Mary Mayhew: Auditor: DHHS improperly managed federal welfare funds. Mary Mayhew: Time limits on welfare benefits, to promote employment. Matt Dunlap: Expand state services to include the working poor. Mike Thibodeau: Allow some immigrants to receive public assistance. Paul LePage: End welfare-on-day-one: No instant eligibility for benefits. Paul LePage: Maine's TANF welfare system is too generous. Paul LePage: Maine grew at 0.8% if we discount federal welfare payments. Paul LePage: Give people in need a hand up; don't give unneeded hand-outs. Paul LePage: Expanding welfare entitlements is not compassionate. Paul LePage: Five tiers to welfare; keep more when you earn more. Sara Gideon: Allow some immigrants to receive public assistance. Shawn Moody: Lifetime cap on welfare; with strong fraud detection. Shenna Bellows: No one in Washington stands up for people who are hurting. Susan Collins: Block grants for state and local flexibility in welfare. Janet Mills: Housing First legislation addresses chronic homelessness. Angus King: increase government investment in the economy. Demi Kouzounas: Ensure American Dream by reducing inflation. |
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Page last edited: Mar 14, 2026
