Vote 2008 House District 30 Amherst-East Machias area

Republican

Howard McFadden

Age: 74

Hometown: Dennysville

Address: 19 Shipyard Road

Education: MA in educational administration, University of Maine at Orono

Family: Married; one son, two grandchildren

Occupation: Retired educational administrator, now serving second term in Maine House

Experience: Educational administrator 36 years; four years in Maine House

Reason for running: I plan to continue to push for economic development and help small businesses survive by lessening excessive taxes and state nonfunded mandates. I will continue to help correct the flawed School Regionalization Law and Essential Program and Services school funding formula law, which is an urban law for a rural state.

Democratic

Dennis L. Mahar

Age: 47

Hometown: Pembroke

Address: P.O. Box 244

Education: H.S. Washington Academy, A.B. Bowdoin College. J.D. University of Maine School of Law

Family: Partner, Donna Descoteaux; two sons, Adam Beaudoin, 20, and P.J. Descoteaux, 13

Occupation: Attorney

Experience: General practice of law 22 years; board of directors, Calais Regional Hospital, chairman during building of new hospital; board of trustees, Washington Academy; past president of Maine State Bar Association.

Reason for running: Rural Washington and Hancock counties need strong, independent voices representing them in Augusta. We need to maintain and improve our education and health care. The state of Maine must foster the development of strong local businesses using renewable energy resources and preserving our natural resources.