Social media accounts: votedancampbell.com; facebook.com/coachdanformainehouse/

Occupation: Retired Educator & Coach/Part Time Counselor/Advocate for the Homeless

Education: University of Maine Farmington BS Education (K-12) and Degree in Counseling

Community Organizations: Board Member at the Drop-In Center, Sports Trainer, and Cities of Lewiston & Auburn – Development of Programs for the Homeless.

Personal information (hobbies, etc.): I enjoy cycling, reading – especially history books, community humanitarian work, organizing running events, personal trainer and tutoring students.

Family status: Single

Years in the Legislature: None

Committee assignments (if elected):
I am interested in serving on the Joint Standing Committee for Education and Cultural Affairs.

Q&A

1) Define what “success” would look like if you are elected to serve your district.

I would measure success as a State Representative by being accessible and responsive to the people I represent in my Legislative District. Helping them to resolve issues and problems related to governmental organizations. I would also measure success by making meaningful changes in access to housing for veterans and unsheltered individuals, getting them back on track with supportive community services and returning them to being productive, self-supporting citizens. Further, by making mental health services a priority so everyone with mental health needs can get the services they need.

2) Name one issue the Legislature handled last session. Explain why you agree or disagree with the final outcome.

The way the Legislature handled the property tax burden affecting seniors and low income residents In the last legislative session was disappointing. The Legislature terminated the property tax stabilization program for senior citizens after the first year of the program. The program may have been well intended but it was poorly conceived and written. For example, the greatest property tax relief went to extremely wealthy property owners not seniors with the most difficult property tax burdens. And to make it worst the program was not financially sustainable.

As a result, the abrupt termination of the program created confusion and angered senior citizens, when they experienced large property tax increases, partly because of the poorly conceived legislation and the effects of its termination.

Even though the Legislature did increase benefits for seniors in an existing property tax reimbursement program it was so poorly communicated and explained to seniors many were not aware of it.

In the next legislative session, legislators must finds ways to further lessen the property tax burden on fixed income seniors.

OPPONENT: Laurel Libby, R-Auburn