Orono-Lincoln area

Democrat

Elizabeth M. Schneider

Age: 46

Hometown: Orono

Address: 55 Bennoch Road

Education: Boulder Travel Trade School graduate; attended University of Colorado; graduate, Washington Irving High School; attended University of Nantes

Family: Single

Occupation: Senator

Experience: Chairwoman, State & Local Government Committee and CPAC; second-seat senator, Business Research and Economic Development Committee. On board of directors for National Legislative Association on Prescription Drugs, Orono Village Association, Maine Robotics; worked on business development for a multimedia company. Twenty years work in the travel industry with small businesses. Twice Elected to the Orono Town Council. Has worked with numerous nonprofits.

Reason for running: I care about people, serving them and lending my experience to the task of strengthening opportunities for people and our economy. I have been very fortunate to have had a wonderful upbringing and I believe in giving back to others; serving enables me to do that. I work hard and I am a strong voice and advocate for the residents of my district in Augusta. I understand the challenges people and small businesses face. I listen to varied perspectives and I have been effective making policy changes to improve life for all of us.

Republican

Valerie Carr-Winocour

Age: 54

Hometown: Old Town

Address: 100 Gilman Falls Ave.

Family: Single; five children and nine grandchildren

Occupation: Candidate for state Senate District 30; working hard for the people

Reason for running: I am fed up with the Baldacci administration and the people who keep supporting his agenda for the people of Penobscot County. [If elected, I would] hold Augusta accountable for listening to the voice of the people. I am a fighter and have been all my life, and I will not be bought or sold by anyone up in Augusta. I will be a strong voice for the people, for what is right. … [We need to] reduce health insurance costs by opening up the market to free competition. It could be done with a stroke of the governor’s pen. … We need to take back control of our state and uphold our Constitution.