Democrat

J. Chipman Beckwith

Age: 52

Address: 116 Hopkins Road, Fort Fairfield, ME 04742

E-mail: jcb33@verizon.net

Web site: www.beckwithforsenate.com

Family: Wife Janet; children: Lindsay, who works at Maine Medical Center; Justin, who works construction in the Portland area; and Lauren, a high school senior at Fort Fairfield.

Education: Associate degree in business, University of Maine, 1975; bachelor’s degree in business administration, Husson College, 2001; working on a master’s degree

Occupation: Field representative at McCain Foods in Easton

Experience: Farmed potatoes and grains for 23 years. Manufacturers representative in air pollution control and power development industry. School board and many other municipal and potato industry positions.

Top three priorities if elected:

? Industry support and jobs

? Affordable energy and renewable energy

? Affordable health care and prescription drugs

Republican

Roger L. Sherman

Age: No age provided

Address: 234 Hodgdon Mill Road, Hodgdon, ME 04730

E-mail: rsherm2000@yahoo.com

Web site: Web site not provided

Family: Wife Patricia; sons: Brad (wife Brenda), Greg (wife Angela), Eric (wife Amy); daughter: Michelle (husband Rob); eight wonderful grandkids

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Ricker College; law degree, University of Maine Law School; master’s degree, University of New Hampshire

Occupation: Retired teacher-retired farmer

Experience: House of Representatives, eight years; teacher of chemistry and math, 30 years; evening law courses, NMTC, five years; NEA director for Maine, three years; MEA board, three terms; legislative agricultural-judiciary

Top three priorities if elected:

? Fair funding for rural education – reimbursement for teachers’ salaries is lower in rural areas than urban areas by as much as 15 to 20 percent. We need equity.

? Agricultural irrigation and water rights – state regulations now being drafted are endangering water withdrawal for farm uses. Farmers must have input when rules are being drafted.

? Slow state spending – legislative oversight committees for each department must aggressively use their authority to keep budgets in check.