Democratic incumbent Lori Fowle of Vassalboro squares off against Republican Ray Bates of Windsor on Nov. 4 to represent House District 80, which covers part of Augusta, plus Vassalboro, Windsor, Somerville and Hibberts Gore.

Fowle, 52, is completing her first term in the Maine House of Representatives and serves on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.

“I put in six bills, and every one of my bills came out of committee unanimously,” she said. “That speaks to my being able to work across the aisle.”

She sponsored a successful bill to expand the Kennebec County Veterans Treatment Court program to other counties and was honored by the American Legion for her work on behalf of veterans.

Ray Bates, 59, brings to his candidacy years of experience in municipal government in Windsor.

While he says, “I’m a rookie” at the state level, he’s out campaigning like a veteran. Last month, he was out rapping on people’s doors in Vassalboro, Fowle’s home base. He characterized his reception there as “quite positive.”

“I tell people I’ve been involved in town business in Windsor for 14-plus years, and I’d like to take that experience from Windsor to Augusta,” Bates said. “I have seen how the decisions in Augusta affect small towns, and I want to use my position to make fellow legislators aware of the unintended consequences of those decisions.”

To that end, he said he wants to encourage small businesses.

“That means looking at rules and regulations that affect small businesses and try to lower the burden on small businesses as far as that goes,” he said. “I believe that will encourage jobs and ultimately improve the economy.”

Fowle too has an interest in helping small businesses. She sponsored a bill that began close to home when the owner of the Red Barn, an Augusta restaurant, was ordered to stop soliciting contributions for nonprofits unless licensed by the state to do so.

Fowle’s bill amended the Charitable Solicitations Act to make it easier for for-profit businesses to raise money for nonprofits. “Around the State House, it became known as the Red Barn bill,” she said.

Fowle said work remains on health care.

“There are too many Mainers going without health care,” Fowle said. “I see people in my district that are suffering and need help.”

She wants to return to the State House to help support programs for seniors, including the “KeepMEHome” initiative calling for more housing for seniors, more money for transportation and increasing the rates of pay for workers who provide direct care services in home.

Fowle said an increase in minimum wage would support the economy and help people stay off state aid.

“I’d like to be able to continue to bring what I’ve brought to work with others that are down there to make laws effective. I didn’t go down last time with an agenda, and I don’t intend to this time,” she said. “You pay attention when you’re down there to do what you need to do to make things better for the people of the district and of the state.”

Bates said he likely would oppose expanding Medicaid because of his concerns about its effect on the state’s budget and the economy.

“I’m not against health care,” Bates said. “What I’d probably be against is the expansion of health care.”

Both candidates are running under the Maine Clean Election Act. Fowle received about $5,200 for this year’s campaign and reported spending about 80 percent of it in a campaign finance report filed Sept. 19. The money went for signs and mailings.

Bates received just over $4,700 in campaign funds. According to the campaign finance report filed Sept. 19, he had spent about half that money, again largely on signs and mailings.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams

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