As a business owner and former state representative, I’m often asked who I support for Knox County state Senate. I say Dave Miramant will better represent my business and family if elected.

Chartrand Imports is a member of Dirigo Health. It’s a good plan and a good deal for Maine. Dave worked to continue the Dirigo plan; he appreciates its importance to businesses like mine. Chris Rector called Dirigo a “disservice” to Maine residents, and supports private insurance calling the shots in Maine. Perhaps if he had not fought Dirigo so strenuously, it might serve more Mainers!

Miramant works to develop natural resources and fights to protect them. He knows we must reduce energy use and helped reform building codes to save wasted energy. Rector suggests we might return to “safe” nuclear power. It has never been safe and is always subsidized by insurance guarantees and tax breaks. Is this what we want again in Maine?

Dave Miramant voted for a minimum wage increase to working families, instead of waiting for Congress to act. We all benefit from this minimum fairness to our hardest workers. Chris Rector thinks this increase was an “admission of failure.”

Dave Miramant knows business, and knows government cannot run as a business. He solves problems in Maine without following Washington or Wall Street. Chris Rector has worked hard in Augusta, but he looks to big business and government for too many answers to today’s problems. Vote for Dave Miramant in November.

Paul Chartrand

Rockland