Maine election 2022: Williams vs. Harrington for Senate District 33 seat
Democrat Kendra Williams, of Sanford, is challenging Republican Matt Harrington, of Sanford, for the Maine Senate seat representing District 33 (Sanford, Lebanon, Alfred and Waterboro).
Kendra Williams
Hometown: Sanford
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and placed the power to regulate abortion with the states. What should state lawmakers do regarding abortion laws?
There should be no changes in Maine's abortion laws. However, I’m aware that there are ongoing discussions and a review about whether the current Maine Constitution provides abortion protections or whether a constitutional amendment is required to ensure that they are permanent and not subject to change based on the political party with a majority. It takes two-thirds of the Legislature to support bringing the question of an amendment to the voters in a statewide referendum. I will vote in favor of doing so If it’s determined that such an amendment is necessary to ensure that women’s reproductive rights are permanently protected in Maine.
The state's residents and businesses face many economic challenges, including high prices for electricity and fuel, a labor shortage, a lack of affordable housing and rising prices due to inflation. How would you address these challenges?
I’d support ways to increase incentives for weatherization, including the installation of high-performance heat pumps, to achieve identified goals of having 100,000 heat pumps in Maine homes and businesses by 2025 along with other weatherization goals. I’m in favor of initiatives that combine Maine’s existing rebate and tax credit program with the federal Inflation Reduction Act to maximize the incentives. With anticipated demand, a focus on ensuring adequate supplies of heat pumps as well as well-trained employees and installers is needed. Programs already begun at our community colleges for training and apprenticeships, along with stipends for transportation and childcare to support students while training, would have my support. As the state with the oldest population in the country, we have a large number of people leaving the workforce due to retirement without enough younger people to replace them. The solutions to employee shortages include offering incentives to retain our younger population, recruiting younger people from other states and working with Congress to loosen restrictions on immigrants and work visas. One thing I think the Legislature could do is to provide funding to create a recruitment campaign but there needs to be coordination to ensure affordable housing is available to those who would like to live and work in Maine. It will take a multifaceted and collaborative approach involving the Legislature, Congress and employers.
What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?
A strong economy depends on supporting businesses as well as strengthening support for people across the lifespan. That includes our seniors, working people juggling families and multiple responsibilities, and our children. I'm a strong supporter of public education, especially P-K and Career Technical Education. We need to rebuild our healthcare system, including increased availability of mental health and substance abuse treatment and in-home supports for seniors and disabled persons. And we need to expand safe and affordable childcare for working families. I'm passionate about systematic reform of our child welfare system. And with everything we do, we need to consider the impact on our climate and natural resources. I support fiscal responsibility and am glad that Maine is required to have a balanced budget. I support policies that make Maine a place where there is equality, opportunity and where families can thrive now and in the future.
A guide to voter rights in Maine: What you need to know before you cast a ballot
Matthew Harrington
Hometown: Sanford, Maine
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and placed the power to regulate abortion with the states. What should state lawmakers do regarding abortion laws?
I have spent months hearing from constituents about this important issue. Maine’s abortion law was codified in the early 1990s. This law preserves the right for a woman to seek an abortion in the traumatic cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother. In addition, this law also addresses viability of the fetus. I believe Maine law strikes the appropriate balance and I do not intend to vote to add additional restrictions, or to remove the restrictions already in statute. I do not support taxpayer funding of abortions. I also oppose efforts to expand access to late-term abortions unless it involves saving the life of the mother, or a tragic circumstance where the pregnancy has failed.
The state's residents and businesses face many economic challenges, including high prices for electricity and fuel, a labor shortage, a lack of affordable housing and rising prices due to inflation. How would you address these challenges?
First and foremost, we need to address the short-term inflation and heating oil crisis facing Maine families. Too many families will be faced with the tough decision of whether to eat or heat their homes this winter. I am especially concerned about those living on fixed incomes, such as our elderly population. Second, Maine faces significant challenges that must be overcome to strengthen our economy. We must prioritize education to ensure our children are being educated for the jobs of the future, which includes emphasizing vocational education in younger grades. We must embrace all energy technology that will reduce heating and electricity costs for Maine families and small businesses. In the short term, we must embrace and invest in technologies that will lower prices for Maine families and small businesses to incentivize investment and strengthen Maine’s economy. We must ensure those who are able to work - go to work, and we have to stop incentivizing people to stay home. Lastly, we must address the housing crisis facing Maine - especially in southern Maine - by ensuring units being built are truly affordable. Despite the challenges facing Maine, I love this state and believe that we can come together to build a strong economy for our kids and grandkids.
What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?
My father was a disabled Vietnam veteran. I remember seeing the coverage of 9/11 as a young teenager. That day shaped the rest of my life. My entire career has been spent working in various capacities in public safety. I spent the early years of my career working in fire and EMS. The last 15 years, I have spent working as a police officer. I have spent my time serving in the Maine House of Representatives focused on promoting policies to aid our first responders. In today’s world, we’ve seen too many attacks on law enforcement. At a time when violent crime is on the rise, in Maine, what we say matters. I believe Maine is a desirable place for the best of the best to raise their families and to build a successful career in law enforcement. However, we need to ensure they know they will be appreciated, and we must stop demonizing the profession. I believe I have the proven skill sets necessary to reach across the aisle and find creative solutions to the issues facing Maine. Maine can be a thriving place to live and raise a family. However, we must put politics aside and address the issues facing Mainers. I have a proven track record of working with Democrats to pass legislation - and I ask for your vote to continue that work on Nov. 8th.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maine election 2022: Williams vs. Harrington for Senate District 33
