Democrat

Joe Perry

Age: 42

Hometown: Bangor

Address: 237 Grove St.

Education: Graduated John Bapst Memorial High School, 1984; attended University of Maine in Orono

Family: Married; two boys

Occupation: State senator; small-business owner

Experience: Sales and marketing, which took me to every square of this great state; small-business owner for 15 years; eight years as a state representative from Bangor, four years as the state senator from Bangor

Reason for running: Because I love Maine and I know we have a bright future. As a working father with two children, I understand how hard it is to make ends meet. My focus over the next two years will be a long-term strategy to reduce Maine’s tax burden, make Maine more competitive, and preserve Maine’s quality of life.

Republican

W. Tom Sawyer Jr.

Age: 59

Hometown: Bangor

Address: 420 French St.

Education: Graduated Bangor High School; BA in education, Denver University; postgraduate work, University of Maine and Kennedy School of Government

Family: Married to Bonnie Prince Sawyer; two daughters

Occupation: Retired entrepreneur and businessman

Experience: President YMCA, Rotary, Jaycees and Sawyer Environmental Services; board chairman, Husson University; trustee, Unity College, and Ph.D. honoris causa in environmental studies; trustee emeritus, Maine Maritime Academy; honorary trustee; The Jackson Laboratory, SBA’s Entrepreneur of the Year for the U.S.; SBA Hall of Fame inductee; Maine Community Foundation board; Maine BC&BS Board; Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Co. board; University of Maine Foundation board; Bangor Education Foundation board; Maine Robotics board; United Way Campaign chairman; Dakin Pool Restoration Campaign chairman; Penobscot Community Health Care Capital Campaign chairman; Development Committee, Friends of Acadia. For a complete listing of Tom’s 30 years of community experience, go to www.mainesenategop.com/members.

Reason for running: To turn the ship of state around from its current and unnecessary free fall into ever-increasing poverty to a place where our children and grandchildren can live, raise a family, and earn a livable wage.