Gordon’s goal: Business growth
STATE SENATE
DISTRICT 34
Age:
Residence:
What position are you running for? Maine Senate District 34
What other political offices have you held? If none, what other offices, honors or titles have you earned? No political offices. Served the state of Maine as an assistant district attorney for over eight years.
What is your career background? I was raised in the County, working in my father, Foster Gordon’s, sawmill in Oakfield. I put myself through the University of Maine at Orono by working in retail management. I proceeded to the University of Maine School of Law where I graduated cum laude in 1996. After law school, I returned to Houlton and worked for two years in my own law office. After enjoying success in private practice, I worked for the state of Maine as an assistant district attorney for over eight years. During this time, my wife and I opened a small local retail business. I recently resigned my position with the D.A.’s office to run for Senate.
What made you decide to run for this office? I had no intention of venturing into politics. Last spring, as the legislative session was ending, I received a call from Representative Cleary informing me that the bond package that included the Aroostook County Rail was not going to pass in the Senate. I was shocked. Representative Cleary, many supporters, and I worked that weekend to inform the public and speak out to our Senator who opposed the package. We eventually were able to get that bond package on the ballot and the voters of the County passed that bond overwhelmingly. I realized at that time that our local senator, who had been in Augusta for 12 years, no longer had the County in his heart. Change had to happen. I could no longer sit idly by and watch our County take a back seat to the rest of the state and be governed by party politics. I realized we needed a strong voice to speak out for the County. I hope to be that voice of change.
What do you see as the most important issue facing the community you will serve? First and foremost we need to change the culture of regulation and negativity in Augusta. We need our state employees to ask, “How can we help make your business possible?” No more can we say “No.” The reality is our state is that not a bad place to do business – we can be better. Unfortunately, the perception is that we are a difficult place to do business; and that’s an attitude more than it is a truism.
Locally, we need to control the rampant prescription drug problem and get our youth, off drugs, and motivated to work. The rehabilitation of our youth will be a slow process. The root of the problem can be easily addressed. We have a system in place than can regulate the amount of illegal prescription drugs that reach our neighborhoods. Unfortunately, our current laws do not mandate that prescribers abide by the system. This is a fix that costs nothing. However, no one has had the courage to force the issue … until now.
Finally, there are state systems that can be self-sustaining – but Augusta refuses to accept it. Here’s why: We have over 180 elected politicians in Augusta – each with their own agenda. When our great state was founded, our representatives travelled by horseback or carriage to represent their communities. We needed our vast legislature. We’ve changed. No longer do we need representatives in that number. Modern technology allows our public servants to receive input from constituents as never before. There are too many of us in Augusta. We are wasting your money. We need to cut our legislature in half and dramatically reduce the number of bills that are introduced. If my district is eliminated after my term, I will have been a successful senator.
What do you see as your primary goal, if elected? Make Maine more business friendly, stop welfare fraud, and reduce the flow of prescription drugs in the illegal marketplace.
Why should people vote for you? I have the courage to stand up for the County. I won’t be silenced by partisan politics. I will be that strong voice for the County; and, above all, I know we must change!
Editor’s note: The answers to the candidate questionnaire are not verified for accuracy by the editorial staff of this newspaper.
