House of Representatives District 24, consisting of Athens, Charleston, Dexter, Garland, Harmony and Ripley

Name: Douglas Thomas

Political Party: Republican

Age: 58

Residence: 306 Stream Road, Ripley.

Education: Mount View High School, attended Unity College.

Family: Wife Darlene, six children, eight grandchildren.

Occupation: Owner of retail firewood business; three employees.

Political Experience: House of Representatives, four years; Transportation and Labor committees, four years; Ripley selectman, three years; SAD 46 school board, five years; Somerset County Economic Development Committee; Somerset County Budget Committee; Regional Transportation Advisory Committee, Region 4.

Name: Tammy Lockhart

Age: 50

Political Party: Democrat

Residence: Dexter

Employment: IT support education, University of Maine System

Political experience: Reported on local government and school board meetings for more than 15 years for area newspapers.

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

Lockhart: I think this is the No. 1 issue facing the Legislature. There are many ways the state of Maine could help out our citizens: a tax credit to help with heating bills, low-interest loans for weatherization projects, and building the infrastructure to provide alternatives to oil. As a legislator, I would be committed to exploring all available alternatives and working quickly to help folks this winter.

Thomas: There's going to be $7 million more in federal LIHEAP money this year. If we reduce the administration costs and do a better job making sure those who need help get it, (it) would be good start. We could do that by having the town offices involved, and I'm going to do everything I can to make that happen. There's not much one legislator can do, but we're all going to have to do everything we can.

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

Thomas: The biggest issue facing the people and the towns in central Maine is the lack of good-paying jobs. The cost of electricity is driving off more jobs than our high taxes. We need look at getting out of the New England power pool before Maine has to start paying to build power plants in Connecticut and Massachusetts. We need to explore every avenue to reduce the cost of electricity, and there are many.

Lockhart: I've been out knocking on hundreds of doors and meeting thousands of the residents in this district over the past few months. What we're discussing at their doorsteps -- high costs of health care, a lack of good jobs, rising oil bills -- are the very reasons I'm in this race. If elected, I would continue to take every opportunity to listen to my constituents and take their concerns to Augusta.

Lockhart: I've been out knocking on hundreds of doors and meeting thousands of the residents in this district over the past few months. What we're discussing at their doorsteps -- high costs of health care, a lack of good jobs, rising oil bills -- are the very reasons I'm in this race. If elected, I would continue to take every opportunity to listen to my constituents and take their concerns to Augusta.

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

Lockhart: Yes. I would work to give every advantage to the small businesses that create most of the jobs in this state. I would also seek to position Maine to take advantage of the emerging economy in alternative energies. We've got some of the greatest resources in the country for wind and tidal energy, and we've got the most industrious and independent citizens in the country. If we give them the tools, they'll create the jobs that will help Maine become a national leader in these new industries.

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

Thomas: I support the beverage tax repeal.

Lockhart: I believe that the Legislature should be responsive to the wants and needs of the people. I will support whatever decision they make while seeking to continue to provide health care to those who need it most.

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

Lockhart: I know Maine's tax overall tax structure could use some changes. We need to be able to attract businesses and create jobs, but the most important issue is that we minimize the burden on our middle- and low-income citizens.

Thomas: We need to lower the income tax. Maine has one of the highest income tax rates in the nation. We should be ashamed that the top tax rate starts at incomes below the poverty level. Lowering the income tax would do more to improve our economy than any other tax reduction.

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

Thomas: I believe the biggest social issue in the near future is poverty -- too many Maine people are not going to have the money they need to buy the necessities of life. We can and must do everything we can to help.

Lockhart: The lack of quality, affordable health care for all Maine residents.