Janel Underwood-Charette

Janel Underwood-Charette earned a high school diploma from Presque Isle High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Maine, Presque Isle in 2004, and a graduate degree from the University of New England in 2007. Her career experience includes working as a social worker.[1]

Hi, I’m Janel. I’m an Aroostook County native and lifelong resident…100% a real mom to two young adults, nana to one-and the second arriving soon, a wife, a daughter and grand daughter, and a social worker by profession. That puts me at about 0% politician. If you know me, you know. So then, what’s my why?

I’ve rooted my life in Presque Isle to preserve the richness of being active in an intergenerational family. I understand the challenges facing my family, friends, and neighbors from firsthand experience. Meeting human needs and treating people with dignity and respect…that’s what it's about for me…not political affiliations or advancement.

I've been a social worker for 18 years. I see the daily needs and challenges present in rural Maine, I understand social policy, and I want to help shape improvements to the policies that are failing us. Issues are not faceless to me. I know what it means to show up, work hard, and deliver.

Childcare…

Healthcare…

Senior Care…

Housing…

Heating…

Access to Food…

Climate…

Mental health…

These struggles are ours to improve!

A primary family value I saw in practice during my childhood is that when you see someone in need you step up and help. I know this is a deeply held Maine value. We step up to help our neighbor, no matter what. It’s not always easy, pretty, or convenient. We aren’t always the same, but we still help. The desire to help struggling people thrive has been the calling of my life and is the reason I’m running for office.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Healthcare

-create accessible and affordable health care, with universal coverage as the ultimate goal

-preserve and support rural healthcare resources

-stop insurance companies dictating care

-recruit providers and resources, pay hospitals for services

-support senior care and aging in place

-ensure the best conditions for nurses (like safe ratios) to support high quality patient care

-address issues within mental health, substance use, and homelessness with evidence based and compassionate approaches that prevent, treat, support, and destigmatize care that people need in order to be well and recoverAffordability

-support affordable housing development

-universal child care

-heating and food resources

-support all working people with stronger wages and benefits

-people shouldn’t have to work two jobs and/or overtime just to get by

-unions don’t protect all workers and our policies should

-address out of control property taxes

-tax billionaires out of existence and support programs for the peopleEducation

-fund schools without raising property taxes

-pay teachers fairly and give needed resources

-support local higher education so people can continue with local and affordable education and career development in our communities

-provide high quality education for all students

-Wabanaki studies

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Human Rights

-treat people with dignity and respect

-value immigrants and other diverse populations

-end the targeting of vulnerable groups

-embrace diversity and show compassion for other humans

-land back and tribal sovereignty

-address mental health and substance use disorders with compassion and effective resources and treatment

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Planned Parenthood Action Fund Maine PAC, Equality Maine PAC, Maine AFL-CIO