Jonathan Kinney

Jonathan Kinney served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1975 to 1999. He earned a high school diploma from Penquis Valley High School. He is retired.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I served in the Maine Legislature from 2012 to 2018. I represented the towns of Limington, Cornish, Denmark, Sebago, parts of Buxton, Limerick and Standish. I have served on the Limington Planning Board and Select Board.

From 2019 to 2023 I served as Chairman of the York County Republican Party. In 2024 I was elected to finish out that year as vice chairman of Maine Republican Party.

In 2023 my wife and I moved from Limington to Buxton to downsize our home.

In 1999 I retired from the United States Coast Guard after serving twenty-four years. Since then, I have owned and operated three different small businesses. I am now fully retired and have the time and energy to serve again in the Legislature.

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?

The Maine Government has been under one party rule for the last eight years. Since I left the legislature the Maine budget has almost doubled from 7 billion to 12 billion dollars. I’m concerned about over spending and lack of job growth in the State of Maine.Maine is no longer in tax conformity with the federal government. Due to one party rule, our citizens are not receiving the benefits the federal government has implemented on overtime pay, tips, and car loan interest. Maine State Government is denying Mainers some federal tax relief. Maine has also decoupled from various business deductions and turning Maine into a non-welcoming business state.

The current Maine Legislature added higher income tax brackets, implemented new taxes, and increased taxes on all Maine people. When I last served in the Legislature the top income tax bracket had been reduced to 7.15 percent.

Now our present Maine income tax brackets are 5.80 to 9.15 percent.Over the years the Maine Legislature has continued to add subsidies to our electricity bills. Our energy is now 25 cents per kilowatt hour making these rates some of the highest in the country. Maine continues to debate the impact of solar incentives on electric bills. Under Governor Mills, Maine has set a goal of getting 100 percent of electricity from clean energy sources by 2040. Adopting the use of heat pumps has reduced our dependency on fossil fuels. This shift to electricity powered technologies for fueling cars and buildings has increased the cost of electricity. We need a legislature that takes into consideration clean energy sources while keeping energy affordable for Maine people and businesses.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m concerned about property taxes, income taxes, investment taxes, and all other taxes that Maine government has implemented or increased on our citizens.

Our utility bills are high in Maine due to prior government policies. An all- electric future is challenging and the costs of this are not being taken into account. Maine is a cold-weathered state that requires significant energy resources. Our Maine government needs to deliver affordable energy for Maine people and businesses.

The recent cap on senior citizen property tax was a great step in the right direction, but only lasted one year. I would appreciate your vote and support.