SENATE DISTRICT 24: All of Sagadahoc County, Dresden
Jean Guzzetti
Jean M. Guzzetti
D-Bath
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS (related to campaign): jean-andme.com, facebook.com/JeanandMaine, instagram.com/jean.and.me
OCCUPATION: Law student
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in biology, master’s in Natural Resource Management
FAMILY STATUS: Two children, ages 12 and 16
Q&A
1. Name one issue the Legislature got right last session (i.e. a good bill that passed or bad one that was rejected). Explain your reasoning. (Please limit your answer to 150 words.)
One issue that comes up with voters again and again is the lack of affordable, accessible housing. The Legislature made major investments in programs to fund the construction of more affordable housing, but building new housing is only piece of a multi-part problem. We also need to make sure people can stay in the homes they have. That’s why I was glad to see lawmakers fund a new rent-relief pilot program to support renters facing evictions. I look forward to seeing the result of this pilot program and hope we, as a state, can expand these types of housing protections in the future. Stable housing is critical for our young families and aging populations to thrive in our communities.
2. Name one issue the Legislature got wrong last session. Explain your reasoning. (Please limit your answer to 150 words.)
I am disappointed that lawmakers were unable to pass legislation banning flavored tobacco. I’m proud to have younger Mainers involved in my campaign, including two Morse High School seniors who were very active on this issue. They know firsthand how their peers are targeted by big tobacco. These high school students worked hard to get this prohibition passed by organizing their classmates, writing letters to the editor, and traveling to Augusta to speak directly to legislators about their personal experiences. It was disappointing to see the bill not come up for a vote in the House, leaving no record of legislators’ stance on this issue. This is an important public health concern that threatens the well-being and futures of young Mainers. As a mom of two school-aged children, I am especially concerned about flavored vapes designed to appeal to children. I hope the Legislature will revisit this issue.
3. Characterize your view on public access to governmental business. (Please limit your answer to 50 words.)
We’re fortunate to live in a state where lawmakers are often neighbors — only a phone call away. However, there is still more to do to build a transparent government that works for all Mainers, not just the wealthy and well-connected, including campaign finance reform and practicable freedom of access laws.
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Denise Tepler
Denise Tepler
D-Topsham
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS (related to campaign): denisetepler.mainecandidate.com; FB: Tepler for Senate 24
OCCUPATION: Retired
EDUCATION: B.A. and M.A., University of Pennsylvania; all coursework and testing for Ph.D. in Public Policy, Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: Board member: Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, Maine Public Health Association, Emergency Food and Shelter Program for Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties, Highlands Residents Assistance Fund. Member: Congregation Beth Israel, Bath. Former Maine School Administrative District 75 school board member, Topsham Municipal Finance Committee member, former state representative, House District 54 — all of the town of Topsham.
PERSONAL INFORMATION (hobbies, interests, etc.): Cooking, reading, travel
FAMILY STATUS: Married, five children
Q&A
1. Name one issue the Legislature got right last session (i.e. a good bill that passed or bad one that was rejected). Explain your reasoning. (Please limit your answer to 150 words.)
The final supplemental budget passed by the Legislature was something that legislators got right this session. It included many vital items such as monies for storm relief for Maine’s small businesses affected by this winter’s climate change caused storms.  Also included were a variety of housing-related programs to help address our housing crisis. Nursing home funding and child care subsidies were also part of the package. And finally, it retained changes to the Medicare Savings Program to help seniors.
2. Name one issue the Legislature got wrong last session. Explain your reasoning. (Please limit your answer to 150 words.)
Something the Legislature got wrong was not approving the amendment to the Constitution to protect women’s reproductive freedom. This should have been approved to send to the voters. The Legislature does not amend the constitution without a statewide vote, but that vote was prevented by this failure. Women’s reproductive rights are under attack since the fall of Roe — many states have strongly restricted the right to an abortion even in cases of rape or incest but thus far Maine has not. Without a constitutional amendment, however, those rights are at risk from winds of political change in the chambers.
3. Characterize your view on public access to governmental business. (Please limit your answer to 50 words.)
I believe in complete transparency of governmental business. The only exception is executive sessions, which protect the identities of employees. I support Sunshine Laws and think committee deliberations should be undertaken in public.
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