Name: Daniel Deveau
District: Senate District 35
Age: 50
Occupation: I’m a potato farmer. I have also held the positions of first selectman, as well as town manager, for the community of Cyr Plantation.
Education: I attended the University of Maine at Orono.
Political experience: I’m the past president of the Aroostook County Extension Association, past president of the Van Buren Jaycees, past director of the U.S. Potato Board and am the past Maine Potato Board Young Farmer of the Year. I am also a past member of the St. Bruno Parish Council and have held various civic advisory council positions and have served on several boards and committees over the years.
Community service/volunteer experience: I am a past member of the Social Justice and Peace Commission with St. Bruno’s Church.
Family: My wife, Brenda, and I have been married for over 14 years. We have a 12-year-old daughter, Chantal.
Why are you running for office? I want to bring back rural Maine to the people of the state. This is a beautiful state, with much to offer, both from a tourist perspective and as a place to live and raise a family. The state has numerous resources to work with, to help build a better and brighter future for all, most notably the hardworking people of Maine, many of whom work for family businesses, be it farming like I do, a diner, store or something else.
What is the most concerning issue facing Mainers at this time? How do you propose to fix that? I see a number of issues concerning Mainers. If elected, I want the voters in my district to hold their legislators accountable. As an elected official, I will work with their concerns in mind, making every effort to see issues are dealt with fairly and in a timely manner. Decisions should be made for the best interest of the county, not in the interest of Augusta, for example: school consolidation, energy issues, health care, jobs and taxes. The people of Aroostook are frugal, creative and intelligent. I want to be their messenger in Augusta.
Name: Troy Dale Jackson
District: State Senate District 35
Age: 40
Occupation: Logger
Education: Associates in Business, University of Maine at Fort Kent
Political experience: Six years as House Representative for District 1, current chair of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife committee, current Labor committee, chair of Committee to Promote and Expand Harness Racing, chair of Henderson Brook Bridge committee, member of Governor’s Task Force for the Sustainability of Forest Products
Family: Married to Lana Pelletier, two sons, Chace and Camden
Why are you running for office? I am running because I have a desire to work for the people of northern Maine. I love this area and I enjoy working for people by being their conduit in Augusta to solve problems and issues.
What is the most concerning issue facing Mainers at this time? How do you propose to fix that? I am interested in providing affordable health care, better paying jobs by stimulating the economy with tax reform, and continuing to protect and make better our outdoor hunting and fishing traditions. I have a record of fighting for this area that I am proud of, and I think that my experience will be critical in the State Senate. I see things that aren’t fair or just should be different and I want to be there to change the issue. I feel that the State Senate will give me an even better opportunity to work for northern Maine and that is why I have stepped up to run for this office.
