Clinton, Detroit, Pittsfield

Name: Stacey Allen Fitts

Age: 46

Political Party: Republican

Residence: Pittsfield

Employment: Engineer

Education: Maine Maritime Academy

Political experience: two terms as state legislator

Name: Valory Slymon

Age: 52

Political Party: Democratic

Residence: Pittsfield

Employment: Homemaker

Education: Central Pennsylvania Business School

Political experience: None

1. What can you, as a state legislator, do to help people struggling this year with the high cost of gas and oil?

FITTS: "I'm on the Energy Task Force. I'd like to think it's a crisis. We need emergency-response teams and find out who needs help. I'm likely to advocate for money to help people purchase oil when they otherwise can't."

SLYMON: "There are a lot of people who are going to need help this winter. I look at the job as really looking and taking care of people, trying to track down answers to help them. There are programs out there and we're going to have to really advocate for our citizens."

2. How would you handle the biggest issues facing the towns in your district?

FITTS: "My experience as a two-term legislator, the knowledge that I have of the workings of government in general and my familiarity with the district, having lived in Pittsfield for my entire life, make me very well equipped to handle the issues that the towns in my district face. I have historically taken a leadership role in many issues at the Legislature in my tenure and plan on continuing to do so."

SLYMON: "As a thoughtful listener, I will devote my time to reading, researching and talking to people to learn all I can about the issues facing Clinton, Pittsfield and Detroit. Because I can give my time and am a hard worker, I will be able to serve as their advocate. I will look at everything with an open mind and will work hard for what is fair and honest."

3. Do you have any plans that would result in more jobs for Maine?

FITTS: "There are some areas in green industry that will help. And there's the Opportunity Maine bill that was passed; it has the opportunity to keep kids here. To have them have a tax break for those loans is a great opportunity."

SLYMON: "We need to be researching renewable energy. And we can educate our children and encourage them to stay here and help create jobs."

4. What do you think of the beverage-tax repeal on the November ballot.

FITTS: "I will vote to repeal, absolutely."

SLYMON: "I would have voted in favor of the tax increase and I'm against the repeal."

5. Would you support legislation to change the income tax or sales tax?

FITTS: "To lower it. We compete with a state that doesn't have a sales tax."

SLYMON: "The tax code has an impact on attracting businesses and jobs in Maine. I would be open to considering changes."

6. What's the biggest social issue facing the state in the next two years?

FITTS: "The high cost of energy is going to strain Maine residents in some cases to the breaking point. I think it has passed affordable health insurance as the major issue that the state faces. Minimizing the impacts of these rising costs will challenge all levels of government."

SLYMON: "Health care. I am concerned that the loss of jobs and increased costs of living will continue to add stress for all ages in our community and this will lead to increasing cases of depression, drug and alcohol abuse, and domestic violence issues. Without health insurance, citizens will not get the help they need."