Rockland area

Democrat

Edward J. Mazurek

Age: 69

Hometown: Rockland

Address: 65 Beech St.

Education: Xavier University BSBA, Fairfield University MA

Family: Married to Maryellen; five children, four grandchildren

Occupation: Retired teacher and coach

Experience: City councilor for three years; two-term mayor of Rockland; two-term representative

Reason for running: I want to continue to work toward comprehensive tax reform for Maine. We can drop the income tax rate without affecting health care, education or economic building initiatives. I will fight for affordable health care and focus on helping … our people get through the heating season. I will continue to be a strong advocate for our natural heritage industries and a strong voice for the working waterfront and LMF programs. I am committed to developing and maintaining our state infrastructure systems.

Republican

Steven Dyer

Age: 43

Hometown: Rockland

Address: 87 Lake Ave.

Education: Bachelor of Science, economics-finance, New Hampshire College (Southern New Hampshire University), 1995; completed all coursework for Master of Arts in management and systems, New York University, 2000; Master of Biblical Studies, pastoral ministry at Master’s International School of Divinity, 2008; working on my Doctor of Theology at Master’s International School of Divinity

Family: Married to wife Amy for 19 years; two children

Occupation: Realtor and youth pastor

Experience: Police officer for 10 years; worked with municipalities including New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh on their tax liens; intern at the White House; business owner for 15 years; real estate agent; owned an independent insurance agency; owned a mortgage brokerage business; owned a restaurant; financial adviser

Reason for running: I grew up in Rockland, but moved away in my early 20s. When I returned two years ago as a youth pastor, I began to hear from the students that they saw no future for themselves in Maine. When our youth move out of state, it hurts our economy. I am determined to make Maine a business-friendly state so that my children can call Maine home forever!