Republican

Joshua A. Tardy

Age: 40

Hometown: Newport

Address: 32 Levelful Lane

Web site:

Education: Nokomis Regional High School, Class of 1986; bachelors degree in political science, University of Maine at Orono; Juris Doctor, University of Maine School of Law

Family: Married

Occupation: Attorney and business owner

Experience: Three-term state representative (121st, 122nd and 123rd Legislatures); current Republican leader in the Maine House of Representatives; former assistant Republican leader; currently serving on Presiding Officers Energy Task Force; former member of committees on Taxation, Regionalization and Reapportionment; past chairman of the SAD 48 school board; managing director, Moosehead Furniture Company (Tardy-Connors Group LLC); partner in law firm of Irwin, Tardy & Morris

Reason for running: It has been an honor to represent the citizens of my district, and I would like to continue to serve. I will continue to advocate for responsible state policies that grow our economy, lower our taxes and provide the most transparent, efficient, and accessible government possible.

Democrat

Frederick Austin

Age: 61

Hometown: Newport

Address: 11 Grove St.

Web site:

Education: BS in education, Texas Tech University; M.Ed, Texas Woman’s University

Family: Married for 33 years; four children

Occupation: Semiretired teacher

Experience: Has worked in education and children’s mental health fields as a teacher, administrator, case manager and juvenile counselor for more than 23 years.

Reason for running: “In Augusta, small-town concerns can often [get] lost in the shuffle. As an educator and as a social worker I have witnessed burdens that Maine families shoulder. It is time that that business as usual be changed so that real progress can happen. I want to go to Augusta as a citizen legislator to make a real difference.