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Living and working and owning a small business in Piscataquis or Penobscot County, you see up close how much pressure people are under right now.
Costs keep rising — heating, groceries, supplies, insurance — and much of it is driven by forces far beyond our control. Global energy markets, supply chains, inflation. These aren’t abstract concepts here. They show up in monthly bills and business decisions.
In a place like ours, there’s less cushion. When costs go up, families feel it immediately. Small businesses feel it immediately. And over time, that pressure adds up.
That’s why strong, practical representation matters, both in Augusta and in Washington. It’s the kind of steady, Maine-focused approach I believe we’ve often seen from leaders like Sen. Susan Collins — and one we need more of at every level.
We need leaders who understand rural Maine and are focused on the basics: affordability, reliability, and economic opportunity. That means tackling energy costs, but also recognizing the bigger picture. We’ve got to address workforce shortages, rising operating expenses, and policies that don’t reflect the realities of communities like those in Piscataquis County.
There’s no single fix, but one thing I know as a multi-generation small business owner is that we need an approach that works in the real world. Just as important, we need to create an environment where businesses can grow and where young people see a future here. Right now, too many communities are struggling to keep both. I’m ready to show up every day and make sure that happens.
Joe Guerin
Candidate
Maine Senate District 4
Glenburn