Incumbent Bernard Ayotte and challenger Gail Maynard are vying to represent District Three in the State House of Representatives.
Voters from Caswell, Grand Isle, Hamlin, Limestone, New Sweden, Van Buren, Woodland and Cyr Plantation, plus the unorganized territory of Connor Township will choose which candidate is elected.
Both candidates were sent the same candidate profiles, and below are their responses.
Full name and age: Bernard L.A. Ayotte
Political party: Republican
What other political offices have you held? If none, what other offices, honors, titles have you earned? No other political offices.
What is your career background? Retired school teacher, and I operated a sawmill for 32 years.
What made you decide to run for this office? Encouragement from various acquaintances and former colleagues.
What do you see as your primary goal if elected? To help create a business-friendly environment so that more jobs will become available.
Full name and age: Gail C. Maynard, 71
Political Party: Democratic
What other political offices have you held? If none, what other offices, honors, titles have you earned? After years of working on other people’s campaigns, I am now a first-time candidate myself. An honor I am proud to have received is the “Conservation Farm of the Year” award presented to my small business, Orchard Hill Farm by the Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District in 2010.
What is your career background: I’ve spent more than 30 years in public school classrooms as a teacher and/or principal in Maine, New Hampshire, and California, including 12 years in American schools in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria, working mostly for the U.S. State Department. Along with education, I’ve been farming for 20 years, raising organic beef first at Red Bridge Farm in Oakfield, and since 2001, at Orchard Hill Farm in Woodland.
What made you decide to run for this office: These are hard times for working families in our district. Legislation passed in the last session has made things worse: rising property taxes, skyrocketing health insurance premiums, raids on retirees’ pension funds. Folks in District 3 deserve someone in Augusta who will stand up for their interests. I want to be that person.
What do you see as your primary goal if elected? I will be a strong voice for middle class and working families. I will work with colleagues across party lines to advocate for jobs that pay a livable wage, affordable health care, and quality education.
