Compiled by Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
Senate District 35 serves the municipalities of Allagash, Caribou, Castle Hill, Caswell, Connor Twp., Cyr Plantation, Eagle Lake, Fort Kent, Frenchville, Garfield Plantation, Grand Isle, Hamlin, Limestone, Madawaska, Mapleton, Nashville Plantation, New Canada, New Sweden, T11-R14, Perham, Portage Lake, T17-R2, T17-R3, Sinclair, T17-R5, T15-R6, Madawaska Lake, Staint Agatha, St. Francis, St. John Plantation, Stockholm, Van Buren, Wade, Wallagrass, Washburn, Westmanland, Winterville Plantation and Woodland in Aroostook County
Troy Jackson
Name: Troy Jackson, age:42
Hometown: I am from the Allagash and still reside there with my wife and our two children.
What seat are you funning for? I am running for my second term in District 35’s state senate seat.
What other political offices/honors/titles have you held? Prior to being elected to the state senate from District 35 in 2008, I served as state representative in House District 1 for three terms, or six years (2002 – 08). In 1998, myself and several other loggers began vocalizing issues Maine workers were facing and I was appointed to Governor King’s roundtable study of the forest products industry. Also, in 2004, the University of Maine at Fort Kent humbled me with its “Outstanding Young Alumni Award.” One of my proudest achievements though, was being named the 2009 “Friend of Education” and receiving that award from the Maine Educator’s Association.
Career Background: When I graduated from Allagash High School in 1986, I went to work in the woods just as my family had for five generation before me. Since then, I’ve mostly operated heavy harvesting equipment, specializing in running a delimber. I am proud to be doing the same work of my forefathers, albeit using tools differently than those they had. I am now completing my fourth term as a legislator, and continue to operate tree harvesting equipment when I am not in session.
What made you decide to run for this office? I just felt big business had bought government and the little people couldn’t afford to buy it back. As a sub-contractor in the mid 1990s, I felt the effects of a federal program that was designed to bring in cheap, foreign labor and had been keeping Maine loggers out of work for years. I thought it wasn’t fair northern Mainers were subject to a law that was outdated and far-removed from them, so I ran for the house of Representatives.
After my three terms in the House, I chose to run for the senate two years ago, and am now doing so again because as a senator I can more ably fight and have a louder voice for northern Maine. A senator can get more done, and though I’m proud of fighting for northern Maine’s best interest in the house, interests that include jobs, small business growth, affordable health care, reform, and government transparency, I know I can do more for our area as a senator.
What do you see as the most important issue facing the community you will serve? There’s no doubt about it, jobs are what we need here more than anything. We must create an environment in which entrepreneurial spirit will spur business growth and wallow job creation to flourish. Health care and electricity costs need to be lowered so businesses can more easily get off the ground and put folks to work. We must also protect our natural resources from foreign competition and that means finding new ways to make our resources more profitable for northern Maine.
What do you see as you primary goal, if elected? If re-elected, I’m going to continue fighting for northern Maine’s future and the entire state’s prosperity by doing all I can to foster a business environment that will provide good-paying jobs. I’m going to continue fighting for the middle and working class, I’m going to continue fighting to prevent Maine workers from being replaced by cheap, foreign labor, and I’m going to continue fighting for things like the railroad and universities. As chair of the Labor Committee, nothing is more important to me than working people being treated fairly and having good paying jobs.
Why should people vote for you? I originally got involved in politics because I was concerned with my children’s future. I saw too many friends leaving northern Maine for work elsewhere, and I didn’t think itw as right that so many folks would have to leave the place their families have known and loved for generations. I’m just an average working person, and the work I have done and home to continue doing in Augusta is geared toward other working people.
I was sent to Augusta to be northern Maine’s voice, and that’s all I will ever do. No special interest group or stake holder will tie me down. I’ve always been independent minded, and that’s why I’ve been known to break party ranks to more accurately reflect the needs and wants of my area. I’m not afraid to stand and say what needs to be heard in Augusta; too much is at stake and northern Maine’s future is on the table.
Daniel Deveau
Name, Daniel DeVeau
Hometown: Cyr Plantation
What seat are you funning for? Senate
What other political offices/honors/titles have you held? Assessor in Cyr Plantation, Maine Young Farmer of the Year, past president of the Van Buren Jaycees, past president of the University of Maine Extension,
Career Background: Farmer, town manager, served on various boards and committees.
What made you decide to run for this office? Declining population in Aroostook County reflects on jobs/industry, business and schools.
What do you see as the most important issue facing the community you will serve? Forbes has Maine in 50th place for the worst state for business and careers. We need to be proactive for business and industry to locate in Maine.
What do you see as you primary goal, if elected? Every Maine family can have a decent job to provide for their family.
Why should people vote for you? I have personally witnessed the struggles in the county as a farmer and town manager. We need smaller government, less burdensome regulations and need to be independent on energy, not dependent, and elimnate personal property tax. We need to create a proactive climate for businesses and industry so that they’ll establish themselves in Maine. With business and industry, we will regain Maine as the state. Maine: The way life should be.
Family: Daniel DeVeau lives in Cyr Plantation with his wife, Brenda and his 15-year-old daughter Chantal.
