PenBayPilot.com has circulated questions to Midcoast Senate and House of Representative candidates seeking election to serve in the Maine Legislature. As candidates return their responses, we are posting them on the Pilot's front page, and then they will reside on the Elections 2026 Voter Resource Page, which also includes letters, opinions, information about local referendum questions, and more, so that voters can be prepared for the November 3 polls.

Chip Curry, D-Rockland, is seeking reelection to the seat representing Maine Senate District 11. The district comprises Waldo County. He is running against Ryan Otis, R-Belfast.

1) Please provide a short biography of yourself, and explain why you are running for office.

I have served in the Maine legislature for three terms, representing Senate District 11, (Waldo County).  I am running for my fourth and final term.  In my service, I chair the joint standing committee on Housing and Economic Development and serve on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.  I have also served on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife committee and have twice chaired Maine’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Emergency Medical Services.  

I live in Belfast with my wife, Christi Goosman, her mother, and our daughter, who recently graduated from RSU 71. 

For over a decade, I worked with the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, leading initiatives to strengthen community-based efforts to reduce child poverty and protect children from abuse and neglect. For much of the last decade, I have helped adult students returning to college develop the skills and earn the credentials needed for good-paying, family-sustaining jobs.

I’m running for reelection to serve the people of Waldo County.  Critical work remains to respond to the housing crisis and ensure people who work, or worked, here in Maine can afford the safe, stable, affordable housing they deserve.   

2) What issues are emerging from your conversations with the public as you go about your campaign, and what actions and/or solutions do you envision?

Waldo County folks are very concerned about how rising costs across household budgets will affect them and their neighbors.  Many share my concern that the huge increase in heating costs could have deadly results this winter.  We need immediate action to keep everyone warm and safe this winter. But we must also target the drivers of these costs, including the powerful interests rigging the system at our expense.

3) Are there any specific issues affecting your particular district that you want to address in the Legislature?

Our volunteer fire departments provide an essential public safety service.  Without significant support to our volunteers, their departments, and the system as a whole, we risk losing them.  We must act now to invest in our rural volunteer fire service.  For the past six years, I have been honored to serve on the Maine Fire Protection Service Commission. During that time, I have secured resources to advance local training and retention programs.  But far more action is required.  Since the tragic fire and explosion in Searsmont, I have worked closely with Waldo County fire chiefs and fire service leaders across the State.  In the upcoming session, we will introduce a package of bills to support our rural fire departments and the dedicated volunteers we rely on.

4) A recent AARP poll indicates affordability is the top issue for older voters, with concerns about Social Security, health care and rising utility costs shaping their decisions. What will you do to address their concerns?

I stand with our elders, whose savings are dwindling and whose monthly budgets often can't cover the essentials of food, housing, utilities, healthcare, and transportation.  No single proposal can cut these costs.  I will continue to sponsor legislation that increases production and lowers housing costs for Maine people. I will also continue to evaluate every piece of legislation for its potential to make Maine more affordable for our elders, young families, and everyone in between.  I am particularly focused on protecting Maine people from exploitative out-of-state corporations and private equity firms buying up our mobile home parks, nursing homes, and hospitals.

5) Property owners throughout most of Maine are watching their property tax bills increase on an annual basis. What would you do, as a legislator, to help relieve the financial load on property-owning taxpayers?

I was proud to support creating the Property Tax Relief Task Force to help lower costs for Maine residents. I look forward to implementing this bipartisan group's recommendations.  I was also very pleased to support the significant expansion of the Property Tax Fairness Credit.  This refundable income tax credit provides up to $2,000 for Mainers making less than $83,000 a year and paying more than 4% of their income on property taxes.   

As other states have done, I also support allowing municipalities to charge higher property taxes to out-of-state homeowners in Maine, as long as the increased revenue directly lowers property taxes for Maine homeowners. I’m hopeful Democrats and Republicans can come together to pass this critical legislation.

6) How will you maintain our strong economic and cultural ties with Canada?

Our current federal administration continues attacks on our northern neighbors and has severely damaged our economic and cultural relationship. Sadly, because of the President's actions, many of our Canadian friends and customers now feel disloyal to their country if they visit the U.S. 

Repairing that harm will take many years.  We must continue to live Maine’s values of respect, integrity, and decency. Fortunately, strong institutions such as the Maine International Trade Center, Hospitality Maine, and the Maine Office of Tourism can help us reestablish strong, productive relationships with our neighbors.

7) Do you think the state should prohibit state and local law enforcement from entering into formal contracts with federal immigration authorities? (For example: An Act to Enhance Public Safety in Maine by Defining the Relationship Between Local and Federal Law Enforcement. That bill did not make it out of committee last year, but the issue remains.)

I supported LD 1971, which clarified the relationship between State and Local Law Enforcement and ICE. This law was passed and became law.  I supported LD 1971 after listening to local law enforcement who argued that cooperation with ICE created mistrust, reduced public safety, and increased taxpayer liability.  I particularly appreciated the committee's detailed work to ensure law enforcement could continue working with federal partners in non-immigration enforcement situations.  This preserved the critical partnerships needed to combat many threats to public safety, including human trafficking, cybercrimes, and complex white-collar crimes.

8) What legislative committees would you like to serve on and why?

I would like to continue serving as Senate Chair of the Housing and Economic Development Committee.  The housing crisis is the greatest threat to Mainers' ability to afford to live here.  

I also wish to continue serving on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Both Maine’s Fire Service and Emergency Medical Services are in transition.  Many services follow a model established in the 1970s or earlier.  I am excited to work with the leaders in these sectors to chart a path to a stable future. 

9) Maine’s environment is fundamental for its outdoor economy. Does the state do enough to protect its natural resources?

Our natural resources are central to Mainers' quality of life. Through the State Parks, Bureau of Public Lands, Maine Forest Service, Marine Resources, Inland Fish and Wildlife, and the Lands for Maine’s Future program, the state invests significant resources in protecting and conserving our natural resources.  These resources are critical for recreation and tourism and central to our heritage industries, including forestry, fishing, and farming.  We must continue to be wise stewards of our natural resources so they can meet today's and tomorrow's needs. 

10) What is your position on the siting and construction of data centers?

I voted in support of the moratorium, not once but twice. I continue to support a moratorium.  A commission should study the effects of data centers on water, noise pollution, and energy costs so that the state and impacted communities can make informed decisions and prepare appropriate policies, boundaries, and safeguards.

12) How would you define "good state government”? 

A good state government:

• Makes real “liberty and justice for all”,

• Is transparent in how it makes and enforces laws,

• Is responsive to its people, their needs, and their hopes for a good life, 

• Faithfully discharges its duty to provide for the public safety, 

• Promotes the well-being of all,

• Establishes a foundation for people to meet their needs

13) What are the qualities and attributes of Maine that you want to enhance and cultivate?

We are a resilient people. We work hard.  We volunteer to support our neighbors and communities.  We value these traits in others, even when they look very different from us.  We also don’t take crap from wealthy out-of-staters telling us how to do things.  

14) Is there any other topic or issue you'd like to talk about here? Have at it!

Congratulations!  You made it to the end, and almost to the end of this campaign season.  Thank you for staying engaged.