On the Issues
Keep it Local
Chip Curry keeps the focus on Waldo County, not on national partisan politics. He’s a small-town rural Democrat focused on solutions that will help everyone in his district.
Chip will continue to fight for ALL of Waldo County in the Maine State Senate. His priorities are outlined on this page.
The Inherent Worth and Dignity of All
From Chip: "A principle of my faith is that we all have inherent worth and dignity. This principle challenges me: to always see the humanity in others; to combat the stifling impacts of generational poverty; to seek out ways for people who have harmed others to redeem themselves and repair the harm; and to engage honestly and openly with those I disagree. And when I fall short, It reminds me of my own worth and dignity and challenges me to continue to grow, to learn, to do better. I am inspired by the quote by Maya Angelou 'Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.'"
Property Tax Relief
Chip was proud to support legislation to reduce the pressure on local property taxes and protect vulnerable seniors from losing their homes.
What Matters Most to YOU
Chips wants to hear from YOU about the issues that matter most to you and your family.
Chip welcomes hearing from you - knowing your concerns, ideas, and hopes will inform his work in Augusta as Waldo County's State Senator. Please, do not hesitate to reach out: 207-323-9976 (Chip's personal cell phone), or by email: curryforsenate@gmail.com Thank you!
Strong Rural Economy
Chip is inspired by the homegrown creativity and entrepreneurship at work in Waldo County communities and will work for concrete changes to support it further:
BROADBAND ACCESS - Broadband internet to attract businesses and to help existing businesses grow. (will also improve access to education and healthcare).
NETWORKS OF SUPPORT - Networks of support to connect entrepreneurs with peers, mentors, potential customers, and investors.
PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP - We can work with our Universities to promote rural economic development and we need to access more private and public capital to invest in the growth of our local businesses.
Affordable, accessible healthcare
Chip will champion our rural hospitals, health centers, EMS providers, and behavioral Health clinicians for better funding and support.
County-wide broadband would support rural healthcare providers and increase access to tele-medicine - you shouldn’t have to drive an hour to see a doctor or counselor.
With fewer volunteers available many rural voluntary ambulance services struggle to maintain full coverage for their communities. Chip is proud to have passed legislation to assist communities to assess and plan for the future of EMS services in their communities. He is also seeking statewide solutions to these challenges and is Co-chairing Maine’s Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Emergency Medical Services. A moral society provides access to affordable healthcare and Chip will fight for this.
This past year Chip's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. He is convinced that she is much more likely to survive this because of the quality of care she received at home in Waldo county. He also knows her prognosis was significantly impacted by the fact they are insured. Chip believes all people deserve this level of care and should not be bankrupted by it. A moral society provides access to affordable health care.
Energy and Environment
Chip believes that Waldo County has an incredible opportunity to create its own renewable energy and the good jobs that go with it instead of sending billions of dollars out of state each year.
Chip understands we need to be resilient in the face of the impacts that can no longer be prevented, and do everything we can to prevent the worst impacts from becoming a reality for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.
Chip has been endorsed by Maine Conservation Voters, which works to elect environmental leaders who will advocate for laws that protect Maine's natural resources, outdoor heritage, and climate future – regardless of party affiliation.
Chip reacted quickly to the emerging threat PFAS (Per and Polyfluoroalkyl) chemicals are having to the livelihoods and health of our farmers across the state. He was proud to champion legislation to phase out the use of these chemicals, ban the spreading of PFAS laden sludge, and create a fund to strengthen research and support PFAS impacted farmers.
Education at Every Age
As an educator, Chip has seen education transform lives. Support for education is a deeply held family value. His wife Christi has been a teacher in Searsport for 25 years, and was the 2017 Waldo County Teacher of the Year.
Chip is proud to have passed a budget that finally brings the state contribution to schools to the 55% level mandated by the people of Maine through multiple votes, so that high quality rural education doesn’t mean ever-increasing local property taxes.
For our adults and those seeking to join the workforce for the first time, we need fast, affordable, and accessible ways for people to earn credentials that set them up for good paying jobs right here in Waldo County. We need to put a specific focus on preparing people for high wage, high growth fields including: the trades, technology, health care, and our heritage industries such as ship building, farming, fisheries, and aquaculture.
In Chip’s first year as a Senator he was proud to work with the community college system to increase access and program offerings to Waldo County residents, but more work needs to be done to make job training and education accessible here in Waldo County.
Children's Health and Safety
A good society protects children and prepares them for lives where they are healthy, happy, and can achieve their potential. Since 1988 Chip has volunteered and worked to improve the lives of children. He’s passionate that children be protected and that communities support the families, caregivers, schools and other organizations necessary to raise healthy kids. Chip sponsored legislation to strengthen oversight and accountability of Maine’s Child Protective Services. He believes Maine needs to do more to prevent abuse and neglect and promote positive youth development.
Tradition of Responsible Gun Ownership
Rural Maine has a long tradition of responsible firearm ownership. Guns in Waldo county are important tools for hunting, sport, and protection of home and family. Like most Mainers, Chip supports the use of background checks to hinder criminals from accessing guns. Since the vast majority of gun deaths in Maine are the result of suicide, Chip supports working with gun safety educators to increase awareness of strategies gun owners can use to reduce the risk of guns being used in a suicide attempt.
Smarter Government that Works
When we are serving the people of Maine and spending taxpayer money, we have a responsibility to be accountable and to evaluate our outcomes.
Programs that make a significant difference in the lives of Mainers as well as have long term financial benefits that should be expanded.
On the other hand, if a program (however well-intentioned) is not working, it needs to be quickly changed or ended.
Chip will work to preserve Maine’s reputation as one of the best places to live, work and play.
Seniors
Ours is the oldest state of the union, and our seniors deserve a place to live healthy, involved, and secure lives. Waldo County seniors often have more trouble getting around, and many already struggle with isolation and access to health care; the pandemic has heightened these challenges.
We need to improve transportation options, strengthen the direct care workforce, address food insecurity and home heating challenges. We have amazing resources in Waldo County and many dedicated volunteers, but we need to support those community initiatives at the state level. We need to step up for our seniors, for their families, and for those who provide them with care. Waldo County needs to be a great place to grow up, make a living, raise a healthy family, and retire with confidence.