Brian D. Langley Candidate for maine state Senate in district 7 on Nov. 8

About Brian

My Background? Listening, Learning and Leading

I was a Culinary Arts Instructor at Hancock County Technical Center for 27 years, I've run a successful restaurant in Ellsworth for 30 years and served Maine proudly in served in State Legislature for 10 years. I also lead a non-profit that has secured over 10,000 free and reduced college credits for Maine high school students and build connections for them to careers through Career and Technical (CTE) education.

I'm running again for District 7 Senate in Maine on November 8th to bring the needs of our people in the fishing industry, small businesses, education and thoughtful environmental protection back to Augusta.

My Reputation?

This is from the Ellsworth American Newspaper:

"As a legislator, Langley, a Republican, has been widely respected for his diligent research into issues as well as his willingness to collaborate in order to best serve his constituents and establish policies to benefit the entire state of Maine."

Divisiveness and extremism are rampant in our current political landscape. My ability to build solutions goes far beyond simply taking a vote on an issue. Building bi-partisan support and consensus to find practical solutions is my specialty.

"State Sen. Brian Langley, R-Ellsworth, saw 10 of his 11 bills become law, while one was carried over, giving him a remarkable 91 percent success rate and 100 percent survival rate. Langley had the highest success rate among minority Republican lawmakers who authored more than a single bill. One key to his success, Langley said, is knowing when to not bring a bill forward." article by Scott Thistle on July 22, 2013

I invite you to look over my stances on current issues, diverse experience and letters of support below.

I'm hoping for your vote on November 8th!

Sincerely, Brian Langley

Langley's Stances on Current Issues

Economy

"People are finding that they are putting items back on the shelves in the supermarket because prices continue to rise. Electricity bills are up and the cost of going to work and home again, it all can eat up a days pay. With winter looming, keeping warm is going to be hard for many Mainers. Failed economic policies have landed us here. Our local efforts to address this can create positive changes."

Education

"Parents have an absolute right to know what is being taught in school. Teachers have the right to teach without being bullied or harassed. Putting the best interest of students first is my passion. We as a community have to come together to make sure our students have the skills necessary to thrive here in Maine. This will take leadership to convene all interested parties."

Election Fraud and Election Integrity

The legal right to protest election results is a right in our democracy. We have seen many contested elections: Bush v Gore, Clinton v Trump as well as Biden v Trump. Former President Trump did challenge the results and, to my knowledge, lost every appeal in courts across the US. The election results as a result are final. Trump continuing to broadcast election fraud is damaging to faith in our democracy. This is not to say that we stop looking at ways to safeguard the integrity of our system against fraud, have transparent processes in place and leave no room for doubt in the minds of our citizens that we have free and fair elections.

Fisheries

"Our lobster industry is vital to the economy of Hancock County. There are legitimate questions about how much Maine’s lobster industry is to blame for the decline in the right whale population. Before regulations are implemented, lobstermen deserve to know that these measures will positively impact right whales and are backed by sound science. An outside group red listed (avoid eating) Maine lobster with no credible science or realization of the conservation efforts employed by Maine Lobstermen for over 150 years! We must fight to save our maritime heritage. I do not want to change my name from the Union River Lobster Pot to the Pasta Pot. We can fix this."

Medicaid

"I did not support Medicaid expansion in 2014. It was a difficult vote based on a lot of research. The research I did prior to that vote included Appendix C-Labor Market Effects of The Affordable Care Act Updated Estimates published by the Congressional Budget Office February 2014. In summary this report estimated that by 2024 the equivalent of 2.5 million full time workers would be lost due to workers choosing not to work. That prediction is coming true if you look at all the businesses that struggle to keep their doors open. I have experienced this firsthand. I had employees quit this fall so as not to make too much money in order to qualify for renter’s assistance. More businesses in Maine have closed due to a lack of help than for financial reasons. Maine’s labor participation rate is 58%, 43rd in the nation. When a business closes due to a lack of help it takes away jobs from those who counted on that income to survive. Regarding the future of Medicaid expansion, there's a lot to consider than simply 'being either for or against' potential expansion. I am not opposed to its expansion, but the money to do so needs to come from somewhere and hopefully concesus can occur beyond poltical party division on an analysis of priorities. I offer that developing sliding scales that reduce benefits as people climb the ladder to high wage high demand jobs needs discussion. Weighing funding levels vs other priorities in the state, especially during pandemic recovery also needs discussion before sweeping, simplified decisions are made."

Peaceful Protests vs the Riot on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021

"The first amendment of the constitution protects our freedom of speech and the right to protest the government peacefully. I support those rights and further state that they are critical to a free nation. It is when protests turn from peaceful to violent that we must draw the line and object as a nation. From riots and looting to the burning of federal buildings to the assault on our nation’s capital we must speak out and hold those accountable who become violent. I condemn all violent protests. We cannot have two sets of standards where violence is acceptable in one instance and abhorrent in another. All violent protests have to be condemned. If we are to keep faith in our government, we have to all live under the same law. The divide in our country grows wider when laws are not applied equally. We must get back to a place where we can talk to each other. From there good public policy can be built."

Roe v Wade / Abortion Rights

"Maine laws regarding reproductive rights for women are clear and still on the books. Abortion will remain legal in Maine despite the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on Roe. I do not support changes to this law in Maine.”

Recent notes of Support

Jason Joyce, 8th Generation Island Lobsterman

"Brian Langley supports policies that strengthen Maine's sustainable fisheries and protect our heritage. Brian opposes the industrialization of the Gulf of Maine, and will defend our coastal communities’ reliance on a healthy and strong ecosystem.

Hancock County deserves a Senator that promotes solutions to high energy costs, promotes education, has decades of business experience, and isn't afraid to address policies that hurt our district.

Please join me in supporting Brian Langley for Maine State Senate. It's our chance to vote for positive change in the great state of Maine."

Cathy Lewis, Former Principal Ellsworth Elementary/Middle School

"Many people talk about supporting Education. Brian Langley has a long and well known history as a leader and champion of education. As Chair of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee in Augusta, Brian was known and recognized for listening to all points of view, looking for “threads of truth” and using those threads to weave effective public policy.

Brian’s ability to work with K-12, CTE, Higher Education and the business community is documented, and needed now, more than ever, in the Legislature at a time when education is so critical to the future of Maine."

Betsy and Bill Beardsley, Ellsworth

"Brian's in-depth grasp of finance, teaching, making payroll, curriculum development, his collegial personality and ongoing interactions with his wide range of friends, business associates and advocates throughout the county make him a wise champion in Augusta.

One personal aside: When Bill was acting commissioner of education in Augusta, he would occasionally join Brian for supper. Brian always had others with him; an academic Democrat, and/or a small town Republican business owner and/or an articulate school board member and/or all of the above and more. He sought out the array of perspectives, information and advice. In his Downeast collegial way, it was how one might imagine the ancient Greek agora democracy of the marketplace. Often, soon after, an impasse in the Senate Education Committee (which Brian chaired) would be moving ahead again. That’s the Brian we know."

Betsy and Bill Beardsley are retired and live in Ellsworth. Their work experiences include principalships and teaching in local schools, the presidency of Husson University, Maine commissioner of conservation, and chairs of such boards as FAME, the Maine Higher Education Council and Collegio Moriah in the D.R.

Ellsworth American January 31, 2022

Proven, dedicated leadership for district 7

Service to Community

Business, Education and Professional Experience

Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce Board

Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative

Hospitality Maine Education Foundation Board

Maine Tourism Association Board

Community Compass Board

Maine State Chamber of Commerce Board

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Brian on Cancer Awareness Day wearing a pink Chef's Coat.

Business, Education and Professional Experience

27 years Culinary Educator at Hancock County Technical Center

Executive Director, Bridge Academy Maine: Helping Maine high school students explore career and technical education, earn over 10,000 free and reduced college credits and build skills for high wage - high demand jobs.

29 years as Owner and Executive Chef of the Union River Lobster Pot Restaurant in Ellsworth, Maine

Legislative Experience

Business, Education and Professional Experience

Legislative Experience

Previously served in the legislature for 10 years, from 2008-2018

Served on the Education and Cultural Affairs committee for 8 years and served as its chair for 6 years.

Served two years on the Taxation Committee.

Four years on the Marine Resources Commitee.

Two years on the Labor Commerce Research and Economic Development Committee.

Recognized for legislative bipartisan work

Workforce development

Our economy is dependent on a skilled workforce in order for Maine to prosper. The answer is to create partnerships that clearly illustrate to our children that there is a pathway to a high wage/high demand job here in Maine. And that living and working in Maine is not settling.

27 Years at Hancock County Technical Center- Culinary Arts

Trained hundreds of students for careers in hospitality

37 years providing on-the-job training to hundreds of students as the chef owner of the Union River Lobster Pot Restaurant.

Chair of Maine State Chamber Subcommittee on Education and Workforce Developing industry and education partnerships

Executive Director Bridge Academy Maine

Helped Maine students earn over 10,000 free or redacted tuition credits to Maine institutions of higher ed

Board Member Hospitality Maine Education Foundation

Creating internship opportunities for students interested in careers in the hospitality industry

Founding member of the American Culinary Federation Downeast Chapter Association of professional chefs and cooks - founded on supporting the growth and development of industry professionals.

Certified Culinary Educator
Certified Executive Chef

So pleased to be a judge with Robin Kerber from the Maine Department of Education - The From the Far

Pleased to be a judge at the CTE Culinary Competition with Robin Kerber from the MDOE.

Brian Langley for Maine state senate in District 7

Brian D. Langley Candidate for maine state Senate in district 7 on Nov. 8

Brian D. Langley Candidate for maine state Senate in district 7 on Nov. 8

About Brian

District 7 includes

Where to vote in District 7

Langley's Stances on Current Issues

Recent Video Messages

Supporting Maine Fisheries

Supporting Small Businesses in Maine

Supporting Sustainable Energy and Balance in Maine