Margaret Wheeler

Margaret Wheeler was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1982, an associate degree from Penn Foster College in 2015, and a graduate degree from the University of Southern Maine in 2016. Her career experience includes working as a student recruitment liaison for Rarebreed Veterinary Partners.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have been a resident of Berwick for nearly 35 years. I've raised a family, served 6yrs as a selectwoman, 12 years as a school board director, worked many years in higher education, and am now watching my grandkids grow up in the district. I am a member of the York County Animal Rescue Team and serve on the Board of Directors for the Maine State Society for Protection of Animals.

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?

I feel strongly that Maine needs to be creative in finding incentives to bring and keep young people and professionals.There needs to be a focus on supporting childcare so that young families can afford to have two incomes to build a future.I also believe that there needs to be serious scrutiny on energy costs and how we can address climate change in meaningful ways.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am very personally passionate about how we attract and keep professionals in the state. Veterinary care is going to get very hard to access and increasingly expensive as veterinarians and veterinary technicians are already in critically short supply. We are seeing veterinary clinics face possible closing due to the lack of professional staffing. We need to make the state a sustainable place for young people to want to stay and raise families. I believe that also includes finding ways to support childcare costs. The federal money that, for one year, helped address that issue, now gone, shows how fragile this situation is. I am also passionate about the cost and source of energy and where the impact of climate change and all of what that means in terms of damage to the economy and the environment.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe that elected officials have to be honest, compassionate, and good at listening to people. I firmly believe that integrity has to be an expectation for anyone put in an elected office which is dependent on public trust. I believe that all candidates must be able to put themselves in the shoes of another less or more fortunate to truly understand their perspective so empathy, compassion is necessary. And the ability to truly listen... to be quiet and to hear and process what someone else is saying, is a necessary part of honestly representing others in an elected position.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have learned to see the gray between the black and the white which I've come to realize is an absolute necessity when serving in an elected position. I believe that I don't hold all the answers and that everyone should have a voice in decision making. I believe we all have a responsibility in addressing bullying or intimidating behaviors that seek to take voice away from anyone.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I clearly remember recording the resignation of Richard Nixon. I was 14 years old and sat with a cassette recorder in front of the television demanding silence from everyone. I wasn't a particularly political child but I felt that this was a moment that was profoundly rattling our government. My parents were Republicans but I honestly don't remember how they were processing this moment, I only remember being frightened about the idea that a president would be corrupt. That sounds naive, but I guess part of what I felt like I lost that day was that naivety.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I am addicted to reading. I read one to two books per week. My most recent favorite book is a short one written by a retired Maine equine veterinarian, Dr. Dave Jefferson, "Good Bye Old Friend". If you have animals, this book will touch your heart in so many ways but it also provides a very deep understanding of the veterinary industry. It's short and listening to it as an audio book is even more amazing because Dr. J narrates it himself and his voice is wonderful. This book is fundamentally a "Maine book" as well...

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

The biggest challenge is energy cost and if we can't address it, young people are unlikely to stay. And that is quickly followed by the problems we face if we don't find ways to attract and keep workers.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I served as a Selectwoman with Eleanor Murphy who served our District in the House for many years. She was a Republican but she was such a wonderful person and she served all members in her district without regard for partisan concerns. She was honest, she was kind, she mentored students, and she always took time to talk to people. She is very much missed in Berwick and I would hope that I would represent myself in such a way as to earn her respect if she was still with us.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

I firmly believe that compromise is the foundation that our political system has been built on. Without it, we fail to have a functional democracy. I hope that my background of having been a member of three parties, helps me to understand many points of view and the importance of listening to everyone.