Family comes first for 2nd District congressional candidate L. Scott D’Amboise.

The self-described “regular family guy who works hard to make a living” recently hit the campaign trail in Hampden, making door-to-door stops at several local businesses.

“I’m just a blue-collar guy, that’s all I am,” D’Amboise told a vendor at P.D.Q. Door.

Making his way to R and K Variety and Applewood Country Decor and More, he talked to workers and business owners about the difficulty of running a small business in Maine, the cost of living and taxes.

In addition to being employed as a technician at an eye-care practice, D’Amboise and his wife run a small cleaning business to help cover health care expenses and household bills.

“Health insurance is killing us, and just the general cost of living is killing us,” he said to one potential voter, who nodded in agreement.

Before visiting the local businesses, D’Amboise took a few moments to talk about what’s most important to him, and no matter what the topic, it always came back to one thing. Family.

“We know how difficult it is to raise a family in the state of Maine,” D’Amboise said, referring to his wife, high school sweetheart Debbie D’Amboise. The couple now live with their two children in Lisbon Falls, where D’Amboise served as a town selectman.

The congressional candidate grew up in Carmel, graduated from Hermon High School and attended the University of Maine.

The couple has worked hard to instill the importance of community service in their children, ages 7 and 9, according to D’Amboise.

“There are blessings in serving,” he said. “It only benefits us.”

D’Amboise has been involved in Boy Scouts and has volunteered as a Farm League baseball coach. He encourages parents to get involved in their children’s lives and be parents first, friends second.

“What matters is when I leave this earth they say he’s been the best husband and father,” D’Amboise said. “That’s what really matters.”

When it comes to partisan politics, the Republican said he would reach across the aisle in Congress.

“I don’t care if it’s a Democrat idea, an independent idea, or a Republican idea,” D’Amboise said. “If it’s a good idea and it helps the people of Maine, then we should use it.”

D’Amboise said he’s tired of seeing American morals and values erode and wants a chance to make a difference.

“The reason I’m running – I want hope for my kids,” he said.

He has received endorsements from the Veterans Party of Maine and the National Association of Wholesale Distributors.

D’Amboise, who ran unopposed in the primary election, is running against Democratic U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud. While Michaud also is running as a blue-collar candidate, D’Amboise said his opponent really is a career politician.

“There’s a big difference there,” D’Amboise said. “There’s a difference between rolling up your sleeves and working.”

“We’re just a blue-collar, hardworking family,” D’Amboise stressed again, noting that his children also are being taught the values of hard work by helping out a couple of times a week in the cleaning business.

“I’m not looking to become a career politician. I’m just looking to make a better place,” D’Amboise said.