On the Issues

Health care is a human right for all, not a privilege for the few. And right now, too many Mainers are struggling to afford the care they need. As Governor, I will lower out-of-pocket costs, cap prescription drug prices, and invest in the workforce we need to expand access across the state. We will also hold health insurance companies accountable and limit their ability to deny care that your provider recommends. And we will do all this while working toward the long-term goal of universal, affordable care for every Mainer.

Maine is in the midst of a housing crisis. And if we don’t act, more families will be priced out of the communities they call home. We must build more homes at scale, cut red tape that slows down construction, and support first-time homebuyers. As Governor, I will prioritize solutions like ADUs, protections for renters, and smart limits on short-term rentals so Mainers can afford to live and stay here.

No child and no family in Maine should go hungry – full stop. Food insecurity, especially among children, is unacceptable in a state as strong as ours. As Governor, I will use every tool available, including our Rainy Day Fund when necessary, to ensure every Mainer has access to the food they need to live healthy, stable lives.

We cannot ignore the very real threat President Trump poses to our health, our safety, our rights, our economy, and our communities. I believe Maine must be ready to stand up and fight back. As Governor, I will implement a comprehensive plan to safeguard our state, protecting our laws, our people, and our values from federal overreach.

Energy costs are simply too high, and Mainers are paying the price. I believe we need a two-track strategy: immediate relief and long-term solutions. As Governor, I will rein in excessive utility profits, expand energy assistance, improve winter fuel planning, and invest in modernizing our grid to lower costs and stabilize our energy future.

Small businesses are the backbone of Maine’s economy, and their success is our success. As Governor, I will make it easier to start and grow a business by simplifying outdated systems, supporting first hires, and helping retiring owners transition their businesses. I will also ensure we are investing in local industries, from main street businesses to family farms, so Maine businesses can thrive.

Our education system is facing real challenges, and we owe it to our students and educators to do better. I believe in strengthening public education from early childhood through graduation. As Governor, I will expand early childhood education, raise teacher salaries to competitive levels, support students with wraparound services, and implement evidence-based approaches like science of reading to improve outcomes statewide. I am proud to have earned the Maine Education Association’s third-choice endorsement because I will always stand with our public school teachers.

Maine’s beautiful environment and outdoors are central to who we are: our economy, our health, and our way of life. I believe we must both protect what we have and prepare for what’s ahead. As Governor, I will accelerate clean energy, combat PFAS contamination, and strengthen protections against climate impacts, all while standing up to any federal efforts to roll back environmental safeguards.

Too many Maine families are stretched thin by rising property taxes. I believe we must deliver real, meaningful relief. As Governor, I will expand the Homestead Exemption for permanent residents and support using new revenue, including the millionaires tax, to reduce the burden on homeowners and renters across the state.

Maine is the oldest state in the nation, and we must ensure our seniors can age with dignity and independence. I believe in supporting older Mainers and the families who care for them. As Governor, I will expand caregiver workforce programs, invest in aging-in-place initiatives, and strengthen services that address isolation, hunger, and long-term care needs.

Reproductive freedom is fundamental, and I fully support a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. As a public health professional, I know these decisions belong between a patient and their doctor, not the government. As Governor, I will protect and strengthen Maine’s laws, expand access for those facing economic barriers, enhance privacy protections, and ensure Maine remains a safe haven for reproductive care. I will also ensure the state has a strategic mifepristone stockpile to protect access to this life saving medication.

I stand unequivocally with Maine’s LGBTQ+ community, especially young people who deserve to feel safe, supported, and respected. The Maine Human Rights Act is clear, and we must uphold it. As Governor, I will expand access to mental health support, protect trans Mainers from discrimination, and ensure Maine remains a place where everyone can live openly and with dignity.

Those who served our country should never have to come home and fight for basic care, stability, or opportunity. Veterans across Maine answered the call to serve and continued giving back long after their time in uniform ended. Yet too many still face challenges accessing health care, paying for college, finding affordable housing, navigating support systems, or getting the help they need in the communities they call home. As Governor, I’ll make sure veterans’ issues are a priority, expand access to waiver programs, care, and services veterans have earned, strengthen support in rural communities, and ensure that Maine always has the backs of those who’ve served our country.

We can respect Maine’s strong hunting traditions while also taking common-sense steps to keep people safe. In particular, we must focus on preventing tragedy. As Governor, I will prioritize suicide prevention, strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence, and support practical, evidence-based measures that reduce gun violence while respecting responsible ownership.

I believe deeply in tribal sovereignty, and as Governor I will treat the Wabanaki Nations as the sovereign governments they are, with respect, partnership, and action. I will sign legislation restoring tribal sovereignty as soon as it is presented to me, and build on my experience working alongside tribal leaders to address public health, environmental, and economic challenges.

My background as an attorney has shaped my belief that we need a justice system that is fair, effective, and focused on outcomes. Right now, too many Mainers, especially those facing mental health or substance use challenges, are cycling through a system that isn’t serving them. As Governor, I will expand treatment and diversion programs, support parole reform, strengthen our public defense system, and ensure law enforcement can focus on serious crime while we address the root issues that cause it.

Protecting our democracy is fundamental. As an attorney, I know Maine must be prepared to defend its elections from interference and ensure every voter has access to the ballot. As Governor, I will introduce a Maine Election Sovereignty Act, strengthen voter data protections, establish an election protection task force, and expand access to voting across the state.

I strongly support unions because they remain one of the most powerful tools for working people to secure dignity, fair pay, safe workplaces, and a better future for their families. And workers deserve a real voice in decisions that affect their lives. As Governor, I will defend the right to organize, bargain collectively, and strike. I will also ensure labor has a seat at the table, and stand with workers when their rights are under attack. I will work closely with state employees and their representatives to address workplace concerns and make sure Maine leads by example as an employer.

Childcare is both a moral issue and an economic one, and right now, it’s too expensive for families and unsustainable for providers. I believe we need a new model. As Governor, I will pursue public-private partnerships that bring employers into the solution, expand grants to grow capacity, and strengthen the workforce so families can access the care they need and businesses can grow.

Mental health and substance use challenges are affecting families across Maine, and we must do more to meet this moment. I believe care should be accessible, integrated, and stigma-free. As Governor, I will expand behavioral health services, integrate care into primary care settings, increase access to telehealth, especially in rural areas, and build the workforce needed to deliver timely support.

Maine families should not subsidize massive corporate energy users. I would have signed the bipartisan data center moratorium bill vetoed by Governor Janet Mills because Maine deserves the opportunity to fully understand the impact these projects could have on electricity costs, water use, and our environment before moving ahead. As Governor, I will ensure high-energy projects are developed transparently, protect ratepayers from bearing added costs, and make sure growth works for Maine communities — not the other way around.

Mainers deserve a government that shows up, listens, and is accountable. That’s how I’ve run this campaign, and it’s how I will govern. As Governor, I have pledged to hold regular town halls across the state on a monthly basis, expand opportunities for public input, and ensure Mainers always know what their government is doing and how to be part of it.