Election ’14: House District 70

RACE: HOUSE DISTRICT 70

Helen Rankin Democrat

Helen Rankin
Democrat

District Makeup: In Oxford County, the municipalities of Brownfield, Fryeburg, Hiram, Porter; and part of the municipality of Lovell east and south of a line described as follows: Beginning at the point where Bradley Brook intersects with the Lovell-Stow boundary; then southeast along Bradley Brook until it intersects with Mine Road; then southeast along the center line of Mine Road until it intersects with Foxboro Road; then southeast along the center line of Foxboro Road until it intersects with West Lovell Road; then southeast along the center line of West Lovell Road until it intersects with Timber Bay Shores Road; then west along the center line of Timber Bay Shores Road until it intersects with Farrington Pond Road; then northwest along the center line of Farrington Pond Road until it intersects with NE Cove Road; then southwest along the center line of NE Cove Road until it intersects with the southern boundary of Block 3039 of Tract 966600; then along the southern boundary of Block 3039 and then Block 3038 of Tract 966600 (which also is the northern shore of Kezar Lake) until it intersects with the Lovell-Stow boundary.
Candidates: D-Helen Rankin, R-Nathan Wadsworth
Background/Political experience:
Rankin: Resident of Hiram, incumbent; legislative chairman 25 years for ME School Nutrition Association (SNA), New England Regional Director for National School Nutrition Association, lobbied for SNA in Augusta and Washington, D.C.
Wadsworth: Resident of Hiram; Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Economics and a Minor in Agricultural Business; I have managed my family’s forestry business for over a decade.
Q. Why did you become interested in seeking political office?
Rankin: My affiliation with SNA and NSNA showed me how much can be accomplished when you work with state and national leaders.
Wadsworth: I became interested in local office when I heard people in the community saying I should run because they know I could be a real asset for the community.
Q. What experiences (life, business, etc.) do you believe make you a strong candidate to serve area residents in Augusta?
Rankin: Living in this area almost all my life, coming from a difficult childhood, with help from others, especially teachers, having a strong work ethic, rising above difficult times, earning a college degree, working in school nutrition programs for many years; these experiences gave me an understanding and appreciation for all walks of life.
Wadsworth: I have a multitude of experiences that would benefit the constituents of the Fryeburg area. I have a bachelor’s of science degree in Economics and a Minor in Agricultural Business. I have managed my family’s forestry business for over a decade. I am a proven job creator and a candidate that knows how to get business working. I understand our natural resource based economy.

Nathan Wadsworth Republican

Nathan Wadsworth
Republican

Q. There is always talk about politicians being able to “work both sides of the aisle” to tackle various issues. Speak specifically as to what you believe it takes to be successful in this area.
Rankin: Be a good listener. Be respectful. Be willing to compromise.
Wadsworth: I can work with both sides of the aisle in Augusta because I have Libertarian tendencies, which means there are parts of both parties that I agree with and that is how I can be successful in working with both parties to make sure we solve the issues important to the people of southern Oxford County.
Q. What do you believe are the three major, pressing issues facing Maine and local communities, and specifically address how you would propose to address them?
Rankin: 1. Jobs. Attract new business to Maine, help small businesses, raise the minimum wage.
2. Education. Make sure every child has access to the best education available to prepare them for the future. Support our public schools. Make Pre-Kindergarten available for all children.
3. Health. Adequate health care for all citizens is essential.
Wadsworth: I believe that jobs, taxes, and debt are the three major, pressing issues facing our local economies. There are not enough good paying jobs, taxes are too high, and too much debt makes our future dim. I will not vote for any bill that increases taxes or debt.
Q. While campaigning, what issue seems to be at the forefront of most voters’ minds, offer some examples of comments made, and give your opinion on that subject.
Rankin: Frankly, the voters are tired of the phone calls, the signs, but mainly lies and insinuations. They feel this has gone too far, and I agree.
Wadsworth: I have heard the same echoed while listening to voters while on the campaign trail. People are frustrated that there are not enough good paying jobs and that taxes are too high.
Q. How do you plan to keep constituents up-to-date with issues that come before you?
Rankin: I use e-mail.
Wadsworth: I will keep my constituents up-to-date by using mail to let them know what we are tackling in Augusta, as well as to visit with my constituents, as I am very visible in the community.
Q. Finally, answer the following, “I would be the best candidate for this job because…”
Rankin: I believe being a State Representative and serving on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee for six years plus working in the school district for nearly 50 years (38 years as school nutrition director) has given me a wealth of experience and the ability to work well with the public.
Wadsworth: I am the best candidate for the job because I have the energy, education, and small business experience on my side. I am looking to serve the people of the Fryeburg area in Augusta. I have been endorsed by the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine, National Federation of Independent Business and the Maine Association of Realtors. All of these groups know I am the best candidate for the job and I thank you for being a voter on Nov. 4.