Bailey, MacDonald vie for State Senate 31 seat

Incumbent Democrat Donna Bailey of Saco is up against Republican Sharri MacDonald of Old Orchard Beach for the State Senate District 31 seat, covering Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Buxton.

The candidates, in alphabetical order.

 Donna Bailey, 61, is married with two adult children and three grandchildren. She is a graduate of University of Maine School of Law and is an attorney with her own law practice.

Bailey served as a York County Probate Court judge for four years, served two terms as a state representative and has served in the senate since 2020.

“I know how to listen and work across the aisle. I am a problem solver. I seek solutions, not sound bites,” said Bailey. “I don’t care where an idea comes from, if it’s a good idea, I will support it. I am fiercely independent, and make up my own mind after listening to all sides of an argument and gathering information from all sides.”

Bailey said she is running for state senate to help people, and to help her community.

“I want to try and do my part to help improve of all Mainers and to continue the work I have begun in the legislature to fight for Justice for all and give a voice to those who don’t necessarily have connections to the lobbyists in Augusta,” she said.

Bailey said that high energy costs are affecting everyone, and Maine lawmakers should continue to do everything they can to insure older adults and working families can afford to heat their homes and keep the lights on. If re-elected, she plans to propose a refundable gas tax fairness credit.

Housing affordability is an issue the state needs to continue to address, said Bailey. She said in the legislature she championed the creation of the Senior Property Tax Deferral program and if reelected will introduce legislation to implement a state-funded program modeled on Habitat for Humanity.

“Much like the rest of the country, Maine businesses continue to grapple with workforce shortages across a number of industries,” she said. “In Maine, the Legislature must continue to pass funding for Community college programs that partner with local businesses, apprenticeship programs, career and technical schools, student loan forgiveness programs targeted at sectors in most need, and thoughtfully allowing credentials to be recognized across state and country border.”

 Sharri MacDonald, 50, works at MacDonald Garage and Beach Convenience.

“If the communities of Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Buxton choose to take a chance on me and elect me to the State Senate, they will get a hard worker, a loyal leader and a person who chooses people over their party,” said MacDonald.

MacDonald said she answers and returns phone calls, will go to DHHS with constituents as an advocate, and wants to resolve issues and make a difference in people’s  lives.

“The divide in our country and state has led to strict party line votes and it is hurting our communities. We need to elect people who are not lifelong politicians as I truly believe that our elected officials forget who they represent,” she said. “Our communities come first and I have the ability to bring people together and work together. I have proven leadership that empowers others to be their best, I am a listener, and a thoughtful leader for the people.”

MacDonald said there are significant issues with DHHS and child welfare which has led to problems like homelessness, traumatized children and families, and the drug epidemic that is killing our population. “The sheer lack of accountability within that department should make us all cringe,” she said.

She said the legislature needs to work on the cost of living in Maine and if elected, she would prioritize legislators working together to help get workers in fields with good paying jobs available that will sustain them and their families. She said the state needs to protect people in the lobster industry and the plethora of families that the lobstering industry supports in Maine. 

“I am hopeful that this year, 2022, will bring new faces to the state, people who remember that we have a citizen legislature and not continue to allow the career politicians to influence every moment of our lives. We deserve better and we can do better. I am asking for a chance to make this happen and be a beacon for the regular person, the forgotten people of Maine,” she said.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.