2024 Maine Senate Voters Guide

Legal. The decision overturning Roe v. Wade “is a dangerous, blatantly political ruling that will rob millions of women the fundamental right to make decisions about their own health, safety, and lives.” Voted to codify abortion rights.

Likely ban. In 2021, said in a fundraising appeal: “If you are pro-life, DONATE today to recruit, train, and elect candidates who will fight for the unborn.” In 2024: “I am not for a ban, I am for choice”; abortion should “come back to the states.”

Yes. “We are fiddling while the planet burns.” Supports “clean energy,” “decarbonizing,” investing in “new energy solutions” and “electric vehicles.” Voted to limit methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.

No. Opposes wind energy: “Each … wind turbine in the ocean leaks about 80 gallons of oil a year and their tops spin … at 200 miles an hour,” harming birds, ocean life, fishermen, lobstermen. In 2019 opposed an executive order on carbon reduction.

Sponsored a measure designating “National Police Week.” Supported funding to reduce police backlog and strengthen re-entry programs. Supported decreasing federal funding for localities that defund police and a GOP bill calling for changes in data collection.

Respects “law enforcement and the rule of law.” “We’ve lost respect for those that protect us.

Increase. Voted for the 2023 infrastructure bill, providing $271 million for expansion of Maine’s broadband services. Supported an appropriation bill funding shipbuilding in Maine. Authored a bill helping small businesses weather COVID.

Mostly decrease. Wants to bring jobs back by adding “a little bit more tariffs.” Would remove some “red tape” to boost housing construction. Says Biden keeps “throwing money into the economy” and “is creating more inflation.”

No. Sponsored legislation to expand civics education nationwide. Supported a project offering resources to LGBTQ youth for mental health and suicide prevention.

Yes. Was state Republican party chair when the party proposed a ban on presenting “sexually-based material” to students before the 12th grade and defined teaching biological genders other than male and female as “child sexual abuse.”

Yes. “Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election fair and square.” “Trump has undermined confidence among Republicans in the fundamental democratic process of elections.”

Mostly yes. In 2020: “President Trump is still our president until proven otherwise.” In 2024: Acknowledged Biden as president “once the appeals were all done… there was no returning that.”

Tighten. Introduced a bill phasing out single-use plastic food containers and other plastic foam products. “We need bold action to tackle this global crisis.” Supported addressing maintenance backlog in national parks.

Likely loosen. “Radical Democrats” support the Green New Deal.

Tighten. Sponsored a bill regulating semi-automatic firearms with exemptions for self-defense and hunting. Voted to implement red flag laws, expand background checks, and close the “boyfriend loophole.”

Loosen. People buy guns “to defend their homes” and “protect their families.” Is “very concerned with gun rights.” In 2019 criticized Democrats for “wanting to… jail law abiding gun owners.”

Increase. The Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Medicaid “are essential to delivering care in rural Maine.” Introduced a bill improving pay for long-term caregivers. Supported capping insulin at $35 and limiting Medicare participants’ out-of-pocket costs.

Decrease. “I’m very concerned about rationing of health care, which is coming.” In 2017, after voter approval of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, said the GOP will continue to oppose “more dependence on government.”

Introduced a bill securing the border and streamlining the work-visa permit process. Supports a bipartisan immigration bill to address border reform. Introduced a bill to protect “Documented [DACA] Dreamers” from deportation. “The United States is [a] nation of immigrants and also a nation of laws.”

Pledges to “end the crisis at our southern border that is … threatening Maine families’ safety.” Calls for “each state” to help deal with border issues. Supports expediting asylum seekers’ employment. In 2017: “DACA was an unconstitutional executive action from the beginning.”

Easier. Sponsored bills in 2023 and 2021 expanding rights to organize and collective bargaining.

Harder. Was state Republican party chair when the party called for “right to work” laws, which allow employees in a unionized workplace to not pay union dues.

Expand. Sponsored a bill banning discrimination against LGBTQ couples looking to adopt and protecting LGBTQ children in foster care. Sponsored a bill protecting LGBTQ adults from discrimination in employment, housing, access to credit, and other areas.

Unclear. “From where I sit, adults can do what they wish” and “they can be with whoever they want.” “One of my best friends… is a woman who is gay.” Being gay “is not an issue for me.”

Legal. Sponsored bills protecting banking services and safety for legal marijuana businesses in 2023 and 2021.

No position found.

Raise. “I support the $15 minimum wage,” although voted against a specific raise in a COVID relief bill because of “concerns about” the removal of “the tip credit.”

No position found.

Yes. Opposed a resolution to block Biden’s student debt relief program. In 2013 sponsored a bill lowering student-loan interest rates.

No. Says federal spending creates inflation: “What does Biden keep on doing? ‘Well, I’m going to… forgive some more loans.’ … That costs money.”

Raise. Voted for a 15% corporate minimum tax that closes “loopholes long exploited by massive corporations and the wealthiest Americans.” Opposed the 2017 Trump tax bill with the largest one-time cut in the corporate tax rate and large tax breaks for the wealthy.

Unclear. Opposed Biden’s American Rescue Plan, calling it “a $2 trillion tax hike proposal.” In 2018 was concerned Democrats in Maine would spend more and raise taxes.

Harder. “Every state has a right to run its own elections.” In 2020 praised a Maine court’s decision reaffirming voter ID for voter registration, requiring that only voters themselves turn in ballots, & not allowing mailed ballots to come in after election day.

Harder. Wants to end early voting. “We have to get back to voting on Election Day.” Wants electronic voting machines declared unconstitutional. Opposed then supported mail balloting.