House District 23

Carmel-Hermon area

Republican

David E. Richardson

Age: 61

Hometown: Carmel

Address: 634 Hampden Road

Education: Hermon High School; BA, University of Maine; M.Ed, University of Maine

Family: Married to Diana (Tibbetts) Richardson; two grown children

Occupation: Retired educator

Experience: 12 years Carmel selectman; Maine House, two terms from 2005 to 2008

Reason for running: Great challenges face the state of Maine: a faltering economy, threats to our environment, a deteriorating infrastructure, a tax code that needs to be reformed. In addition, we need to develop sustainable, affordable energy and health policies. The Legislature needs people who are willing to reach across the aisle and bring all parties together to address these issues.

Democrat

Jim Hooper

Age: 42

Hometown: Hermon

Address: 2766 Route 2

Education: Woodland High School; University of Maine

Family: Single; two sons

Occupation: Contract manager

Experience: More than 20 years of experience in the energy industry. Proven leadership in renewable energy development, including wind, biomass and waste-to-energy. Veteran of the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Program (Submarine Service).

Reason for running: We’ve lost most of our manufacturing jobs, replaced with lower-paying service jobs. I believe we need to get those manufacturing jobs back and the way to do that is with green technology. Maine can lead the nation in alternative energy, such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass. It will create thousands of good-paying jobs and lower our energy costs.