Saco Bay Democrats

Notes:

• Each of the profiles below were provided by the respective candidate. As more profiles are provided to us we will update this page.
• Democratic candidates who will be on a Saco Bay area ballot and wishing to be listed here should provide a bio that is less than 300 words and written in the third person along with a large version of the photo they want us to use. Candidates should also provide us with links to their campaign website, Facebook page, Twitter profile and/or YouTube channel.
  
• Candidates are listed by office they are running for and sorted by their first name except for incumbent candidates who are listed first for their office.
• During the primary process, Saco Bay Dems strives to remain neutral and does not endorse any specific Democratic candidate.
  

Saco voters can request absentee ballots by calling: 207-284-4831.

US Senate

Cynthia Dill

Cynthia Dill is an award-winning civil rights lawyer who resides in Cape Elizabeth with her husband and two children. Dill graduated from the University of Vermont in 1987, and from Northeastern University School of Law in 1990. For 20 years, Dill managed a successful law practice representing clients in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

After serving on the Cape Elizabeth Town Council for two years, Dill was elected to the Maine House in 2006, serving on the Judiciary and Ethics committees. She sponsored legislation creating the Broadband Strategy Council, and as a leading proponent of the expansion of broadband was instrumental in obtaining over $35 million for the Three Ring Binder Project, a nationally recognized private/public partnership that will bring high-speed Internet to rural Maine, widely expanding the potential for jobs, educational opportunity, healthcare and public safety.

In May 2011, Dill was elected to the Senate with 68% of the vote in a special election to represent District 7, comprised of South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and part of Scarborough.

Nationally, Dill was appointed vice chairwoman of the National Conference of State Legislature's Communication, Financial Affairs and Interstate Commerce Committee, and was a member of the Executive Committee Task Force on State and Local Taxation of Telecommunications and Electronic Commerce.

Dill also has worked as the Director of the Common Cause Digital Democracy Project in Washington, DC, and is an adjunct faculty member at Southern Maine Community College. In August 2011, she founded Friends of the Maine Woods, a statewide organization advocating for creation of a Maine Woods National Park.

Dill is a member of the First Congregational Church of South Portland, where she taught Sunday School for many years and is an active community volunteer.

Matthew Dunlap

Matt Dunlap grew up on a saltwater farm near Bar Harbor, the youngest of five children. His parents, Robert and Susan Dunlap, ran the Dunlap Pottery, Dunlap Weavers, and the family farm for many years.

Matt attended Bar Harbor Schools. After graduating from Mt. Desert Island High School, he earned degrees in History and English from the University of Maine. Like many Mainers, he worked in the family businesses to help pay for college.

While growing up, Matt became an avid hunter and fishing enthusiast. His love for Maine’s natural beauty and the desire to protect Maine’s resources has guided his personal and professional life.

In 1996 he ran to represent Old Town. He won, despite working 2 full time jobs. As House Chair of the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, he worked for the protection of Maine’s natural resources. He also helped develop the Office of Program Evaluation and Governmental Accountability to ensure that our state tax dollars are used as intended.

In 2002 he was elected by the Legislature to become Secretary of State. He made it easier for Maine’s overseas military to vote, he ensured that election laws were followed, and opposed Bush-era attacks on our liberties like the Real ID law.

He has been recognized by a broad spectrum of organizations for his work, including the Maine Audubon Society, the Maine League of Conservation Voters, Maine Merchant’s Association, the Maine Civil Liberties Union, and the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. The Maine Chapter of the American Association for Public Administration named him Maine’s Public Administrator of the Year in 2008.

Dunlap lives in Old Town with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Emily. He still hunts and fishes whenever he can, and Emily loves to come along.

Jon Hink

State Representative Jon Hinck (D-Portland) has spent his life as an advocate, teacher, and champion for working people. He is a leading progressive voice on education, equality and economic opportunity; working to extend broadband infrastructure and other innovations to rural Maine and supporting the creation of new jobs. In Legislature, he has sponsored important environmental, energy and civil rights legislation. As Chairman of the Committee on Energy, Hinck has been a driving force for energy independence by promoting clean, homegrown power and efficiency to lower energy costs for Maine homes and businesses.

He is an attorney concentrating on protecting the rights and interests of working families and the environment. Hinck successfully represented commercial fishermen after the Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill; Maine well owners harmed by MTBE groundwater contamination; and the State of Maine in the legal case against tobacco companies which resulted in the Fund for a Healthy Maine.

In 1979, Hinck co-founded Greenpeace USA where he spearheaded major efforts in marine ecology, energy and toxics issues. He later served as Campaign Director for Greenpeace International in charge of the group's worldwide program. As staff attorney with the Natural Resources Council of Maine, he led a successful effort in 2004 to enact Maine's landmark electronic waste law that requires manufacturer responsibility for environmentally sound recycling of computers and TVs.

Jon Hinck brings new energy and new vision to restore the American Promise to all Mainers--from Fort Kent to Fryeburg, from Eastport to Eliot.

Benjamin Pollard

{bio will be posted once it is provided by the candidate}

US Representative - First District

Chellie Pingree

Chellie Pingree was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1955, the youngest of four children. Her father, Harry, worked in advertising and her mother, Dorothy, was a nurse. Chellie moved to Maine as a teenager, attended the University of Southern Maine, and graduated from the College of the Atlantic, in Bar Harbor. After college, she moved to North Haven, an island town of 350 people twelve miles off the coast of Rockland, to raise her family and make a living.

Chellie has worked hard throughout her life - as a mother, as a farmer, as a small business owner, and in politics. She knows how difficult it can be to meet payroll and run a business in a small, rural community. Right after college, Chellie and her husband, Charlie, spent several years running a small farm and selling produce locally. In 1981, she started North Island Yarn, a cottage industry of local knitters, with a retail store on the island. The business expanded quickly, becoming North Island Designs, and employed as many as ten local workers in peak seasons. The business sold knitting kits and pattern books nationwide through 500 retail stores and 100,000 mail order catalogues. She sold the business in 1993.

Today, in addition to her political life, Chellie co-owns and helps manage Nebo Lodge, a bed & breakfast and restaurant on North Haven, which she started with several partners in 2006.

Senate District 4 - Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel, Biddeford (Map)

David E. Dutremble

{bio will be posted once it is provided by the candidate}

Senate District 5 - Biddeford, Dayton, Old Orchard Beach, Saco (Map)

Don Pilon

What Maine needs in Augusta is common sense to make strong laws that will help our citizens, and the experience to guide those laws through enactment. Having worked hard for you for several terms as a State Representative, I have that experience. With Your vote, I pledge to continue to serve you with compassion, integrity and pride.

Linda Valentino

Linda has served for the last 8 years in the Maine House serving as State Representative in District 134-Saco. During her 4-terms, she has served on the Appropriations Committee which is responsible for formulating state budgets.

She has also served for 6 years on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee (VLA). Linda was the proud sponsor of a plaque honoring Maine women Veterans which now hangs at the State House in the Hall of Flags.

Linda has been a strong supporter of the Maine Clean Election laws and preserving same day voter registration. Linda was a member of the Taxation Committee for 2 years and worked on tax reform legislation trying to update or eliminate many old tax exemptions that have been on the books for years.

In 2011, Linda was appointed to a Joint Select Legislative Committee to review LD1. This Business Regulatory and Reform Committee held "listening" sessions throughout Maine and met with thousands of business owners and citizens about their concerns about Maine having an anti-business reputation. Linda also spear-headed a sub-committee of the LD1 committee that worked on legislation to implement or improve on laws regarding a small business advocate, small business ombudsman, red tape hotline, and Business Answers phone line.

Before being elected to the Legislature, Linda was appointed as commissioner of the Maine Liquor and Lottery Commission. She also served on the Saco City Council in the 1980’s and was the Deputy Mayor. Linda is only the second woman in Saco’s history to run for Mayor.

Linda has been married to Curtis Scamman for 25 years and resides on Boom Road in Saco. They have a proud agricultural history being dairy farmers, milk bottlers, and crop growers. Linda graduated from Thornton Academy and holds a BA in political science from the University of Maine.

State House # 132 - Old Orchard Beach (Map)

Cris Johnson

Mr. Johnson is a retired educator, writer and attorney who grew up on the shores of Saco Bay and has returned to Maine to devote his skills to preserving “The Way Life Should Be.”

His mother was a nurse from Saco. His dad was the director of health and physical education at a high school in New York. He is the father of two daughters who live and work in Maine.

After graduating from Colgate University, Cris taught high school English and Humanities while writing for The Viking Press, Educational Division. He received his law degree from Pace University School of Law and went on to practice in the business and financial services sector for 30 years before retiring as an Attorney Emeritus.

He is the author of three blogs: Justicia, Notes From The Brunswick and Tide Tales and contributes regularly to the Portland Press Herald, The Bangor Daily News and Kennebec Journal.

His political experience includes legislative analysis and testimony before municipal and state legislative bodies and regulatory agencies in New York, Connecticut and Maine. He has been active in Democratic campaigns for US Congressman John Hall of New York, Maine State Senator Cynthia Dill and the Maine Gubernatorial Campaign of Elizabeth Mitchell.

The issues that rank highest among his concerns for Old Orchard Beach are advocating for public education, protecting healthcare coverage and medical delivery services, developing creative approaches to budget and tax legislation and balancing business interests with people interests.

He is a singer-songwriter and a lover of the forests and waters of Maine. In his spare time, he and Nell can be found running their two aussies on the beach, hiking or kayaking around Saco and Casco Bays, dancing at various local venues or taking in a game at The Ballpark.

Gregory T. Kidd

Greg has been an active resident of Old Orchard Beach since moving to the community with his wife in 1984. A registered nurse, Greg's wife provides insight into the state of our healthcare system. Their daughter, a graduate of the Old Orchard Beach public school system, is presently following in her father's footsteps, wrapping up her MS in Conservation Biology. Greg holds a degree in Marine Science Oceanography/Biology, and is certified in Wastewater Treatment.

For the past 25 years, Greg has been involved in protecting public health and the environment. He began his career in the field as an assistant chemist, and is currently an environmental trainer, providing education and assistance to operators and managers of water and wastewater treatment plants. In 1998, the New England Water Environment Association honored Greg with the Alfred E. Peloquin Award for "significant contribution to the wastewater field."

Greg has been reappointed for a third term to the Board of Licensure of Water System Operators as the Education Representative. He knows first-hand the value of equal access to quality public education and is a passionate supporter of our public schools and teachers.

A lifelong fisherman, hunter and conservationist, Greg believes in the endeavors of the Land for Maine's Future and the preservation of shoreland, wetland and vernal pool. He feels strongly that we should be expanding public access to Maine's great ponds, rivers and coast for the benefit of our citizens.

As State Representative for Old Orchard Beach House District 132, Greg will stand for his fellow citizens of Old Orchard Beach and strive to protect the gains our state has made in:

• The environment: clean air, water and safe drinking water
• Healthcare coverage
• Public education
• Equity for all citizens
• Public access to Maine's forest and water

Pierre Bouthiller

{bio will be posted once it is provided by the candidate}

Roxanne V. Frenette

{bio will be posted once it is provided by the candidate}

State House # 133 - Saco (Map)

Barry Hobbins

{bio will be posted once it is provided by the candidate}

State House # 134 - Saco (Map)

Justin Chenette

Justin Chenette is a graduate of Thornton Academy and holds a degree in TV News from Lyndon State College. While in high school, Justin was the station manager of TATV Channel 3 and hosted the public affairs show, The Issue. Having the opportunity to interview politicians and candidates allowed him to learn the importance of holding leaders accountable for their actions and inactions.

He carried that spirit into the Maine State Board of Education, when Gov. John Baldacci appointed Justin as the first member to be a student in 2008. In his 16-month term, Justin pushed for civic engagement curriculum, a universal grading system, increased drug prevention, and to shore up the educational disparity between northern and southern Maine.

During then Senator Barack Obama’s successful run for President, he interned for the Maine Democratic Party as a Youth Organizer continuing his passion for public policy advocacy. During 2010, Justin worked with Saco officials as a Communications Intern and a Social Networking Committee member.

The theme of bi-partisanship has been a common theme for Justin and was firmly cemented as the host of the statewide public affairs show called Youth in Politics on WPXT/WPME. He even hosted the first televised gubernatorial debate during the 2010 election season and the 1st District Congressional Debate between Chellie Pingree and Charlie Summers in 2008.

Justin was an integral part of Rep. Linda Valentino’s re-election campaign in 2010 serving as her Political Communications Director and is now working as a Campaign Strategist for her senatorial bid.

He is also a former Political Columnist with the Portland Daily Sun and the Journal Tribune newspapers. Justin is currently taking a leave of absence from his job as the Assistant Morning Producer for Fox 23’s Good Day Maine as he runs for State Representative in Saco.

Sonya Lundh-Gay

Sonya Lundh-Gay, 42, mother of five grown children, is a seasonal employee for LLBean and runs a small farm in Saco with her husband. She raised two US Marine sons and one teacher daughter. Sonya worked two jobs at times to support her family and knows how hard it can be to meet a budget, when the money just isn't there.

Sonya was Roger Gay's campaign manager and treasurer in the 2010 election for State House Rep District 134. She has life experience that makes up for her lack of political knowledge. Sonya is a working American and will do whatever it takes to stand for justice for Mainers.

Sonya will fight for fair living wages, welfare reform, education and healthcare for ALL, farmers, small businessmen and wants to build greenhouses to supply Mainers with healthy locally grown food. Our disabled should have access to all businesses. Retiree's deserve to retire without stress and worry. Veterans are lacking in proper care. Teachers should not have their pay or retirement benefits reduced because the budget can not be met. We need to work together and fix these problems so that future generations will not suffer.

State House # 135 - Biddeford (Map)

Paulette Beaudoin (Incumbent)

Paulette Beaudoin was born in Biddeford and lives here with her husband of 54 years. For years she has been an advocate for senior citizens across the state. She is vice president of the Maine Council of Senior Citizens and an advisory council member for the Southern Maine Agency on Aging. Paulette Beaudoin is also a member and past Regent of the Daughters of Isabella in Biddeford.

Paulette Beaudoin will fight for your right to: quality, accessible healthcare; affordable housing and heating oil; a job in Maine; fair taxation; a good education; a clean environment; and a comfortable retirement.

Joanne Twomey

{bio will be posted once it is provided by the candidate}

State House # 136 - Biddeford (Map)

Megan Rochelo (Incumbent)

I'm excited to be running for re-election to the Maine House of Representatives. I look forward to continuing the work I've been doing in Augusta, moving our community forward in a positive direction through economic development, supporting small businesses and ensuring our communities and environments are healthy and prosperous.

I have a background public health and a desire to work to ensure everyone has the ability to live a healthy and productive life in a community that supports them. I'm passionate and dedicated to making Biddeford, once again, a thriving city that people are excited to work, live and play in.

State House # 137 - Biddeford (Map)

Alan Casavant (Incumbent)

Alan taught at Biddeford High School for 35 years, retiring in 2011. He taught Psychology, American Studies, and 20th Century World History, while coaching ice hockey and soccer. He served on the Biddeford Council for 18 years, six as Council President. He is the incumbent legislator for District 137 (Biddeford and Kennebunkport), and has served in the 123rd, 124th, and 125th Legislatures. He has been a member of the Judiciary, the Education and Cultural Affairs, and the State and Local Government Committees. He is a graduate of UMO and received his masters in 2005, in American and New England Studies from USM. He is engaged to Patti Jalbert of Fort Kent, and belongs to Good Shepherd Parish.

Alan was also elected in November 2011 as Mayor of Biddeford, and he has been active in developing the cultural and artistic energies of the area, as well as working with the city of Saco to jointly promote development and business. He has been part of the Mayors’ Coalition, a group of elected leaders from the state’s major cities, to advocate for greater recognition of the unique needs of such communities, and has worked to create greater awareness of the damage that can be done to city budgets from cost shifts from the state onto municipalities.

He is a member of the Biddeford Historical Society, the Friends of UNE, the Kennebunkport Historical Society, and the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust.

Nancy Sullivan

{bio will be posted once it is provided by the candidate}

State House # 140 - Dayton (Map)

Adam Spey

{bio will be posted once it is provided by the candidate}

York County Probate Court Judge

Donna Bailey

Donna grew up in and around Berlin, New Hampshire during the 1960's. She was part of the first group of children to attend the national Head Start program, to which she attributes a lifelong appreciation and high regard for education and learning. She began working at age 14, developing a strong work ethic nurtured and inspired by her mother and grandfather, who worked hard their entire lives in the local mills and factories.

Donna graduated with honors in 1979 from Berlin High School, and in 1983 from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, earning a degree in European History. She was inspired to pursue a legal career by New Hampshire Representative Hilda Brungot, her maternal great Aunt, who served the longest of any woman in a State legislature, and whose portrait hangs in the State House in Concord, N.H.. Donna earned her Law degree in 1986 from the University of Maine School of Law in Portland, Maine, and became a member of the York County Bar.

Donna's legal career began in Real Estate Law, reflecting her appreciation of history, research and law. She spent four years as Attorney for Maine Title Company in Portland and in 1991 went into private practice with offices throughout York County. More recently, she has pursued her career as a solo practitioner, dividing her time between her duties and responsibilities in the Probate Court, and representation of her clients in State Courts. She has a full civil practice which includes real estate law, family law, probate law, and she serves as Guardian ad litem for children, privately and by court appointment.

Donna is married, has two sons and resides in Saco, Maine. In her spare time she loves to hike, kayak, garden, read, research genealogy and spoil her 4 dogs, Grace, Duncan, Kody and Ami.