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Andrew Dent

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Andrew Dent
Image of Andrew Dent
Elections and appointments
Last election

June 11, 2024

Education

High school

Homeschooled

Bachelor's

Southern New Hampshire University, 2023

Personal
Birthplace
Tifton, Ga.
Religion
Agnostic
Profession
Customer service representative
Contact

Andrew Dent (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Maine House of Representatives to represent District 64. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 11, 2024.

Dent completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Andrew Dent was born in Tifton, Georgia. He attended Truett McConnell University and earned a bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University in 2023. His career experience includes working as a customer service representative. He previously worked as a teller, field organizer, delivery driver, and intern.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: Maine House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Maine House of Representatives District 64

Flavia DeBrito defeated Ruth Malcolm in the general election for Maine House of Representatives District 64 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Flavia DeBrito
Flavia DeBrito (D) Candidate Connection
 
65.4
 
2,679
Ruth Malcolm (R)
 
34.6
 
1,415

Total votes: 4,094
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic Primary for Maine House of Representatives District 64

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Flavia DeBrito in round 1 .


Total votes: 404
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Republican primary election

Republican Primary for Maine House of Representatives District 64

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Ruth Malcolm in round 1 .


Total votes: 175
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Dent in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Andrew Dent completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dent's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I'm originally from southwest Georgia, but I consider Maine to be my true home. After graduating high school, I attended Truett-McConnell University, where I met my wife, Paige. In the first year of our marriage, I worked as a delivery driver to make ends meet. To get away from the heat, Paige and I decided to come here to Maine, where I have worked as a field organizer for the state's Democratic Party and in various positions for credit unions in Aroostook and Kennebec County. Paige and I currently live in Waterville with our two cats, Felix and Edgar, and our dog, Zeke.
  • Maine workers deserve better. As prices continue to rise, working and middle class Mainers are struggling more and more just to get by. While it is true that supply shocks due to COVID and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have played a significant role in this crisis, it is largely due to a system that allows corporations and their shareholders to bleed the American consumer dry to maximize their profits with essentially no accountability. It's time to give Maine workers and consumers the leverage they deserve to fight back against corporate greed and share in the prosperity of our great state.
  • Though we have made progress throughout our history, some social inequities still exist and must be addressed. Even in the state of Maine, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and BIPOC continue to disproportionately experience discrimination and hardship. Because of this, we are failing to live up to that great truth that inspired the founding of our country: all people are created equal. We must stay true to that American promise and intervene on behalf of the afflicted in order to create a more perfect state.
  • We can do better. This statement is more than just an acknowledgement that we can improve as a state—it is an affirmation of hope. In this time of extreme political polarization, it may seem like the divide will never be mended, but I believe there is promise in our shared objective of a more prosperous, safe community for ourselves and those who come after us. In some form or another, disagreement and division will always remain, but it is up to us to determine how much we allow these things to define who we are and whether we progress to a better tomorrow. I believe we can unite to create a better Maine and to mend the wounds of our nation.
The economy, housing, and poverty. I believe that at the root of many other issues are economic disparities that have created a system rigged for the wealthy and against working and middle class people. Furthermore, I believe that no one should ever have to go without basic necessities in the wealthiest nation in the world, particularly something as essential as housing. Therefore, my priority is to ensure that everyone has a fair shot at social mobility and that everyone has access to the things we need to survive.
Honestly, I most look up to great American political reformers like Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. That's probably why I'm so drawn to public service. I think I would most like to emulate FDR, as his policies radically changed America for the better, and he possessed the cunning and charisma to actually enact those policies.
I think the speeches of Franklin D. Roosevelt or Robert F. Kennedy would probably be the most accurate representations of my views. I can't say there are many Americans whom I more admire than those two men.
Compassion, intelligence, charisma, eloquence, and honesty.
I believe the most crucial responsibility of a legislator is to be a tireless advocate for the people they represent. Part of that advocacy is being willing to be held accountable for mistakes and setbacks. As long as a legislator is truly working for the good of their community and accepts responsibility for their actions, I believe they are satisfying the core responsibilities of the office.
I would hope to have lifted as many people as I could out of poverty, helped as many workers as I could prosper and thrive, and delivered social justice to as many marginalized people I could.
I think it would have to be the death of Osama bin Laden. I would have been 10 at the time.
I actually worked as an intern for a Republican congressman when I was 17 and still in Georgia. It was a temporary job I took over the summer, and I only spent 10 weeks there. Needless to say, my views have changed substantially since then.
The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus. In my junior year in college, I really wrestled with my place in the universe, and, when I read The Myth of Sisyphus, I felt like I had finally determined the meaning of my life. Great stuff for a philosophy nerd like myself.
I would probably go with Steve Rogers/Captain America. As a teenager, I was extremely underweight and had to undergo treatment to reach a healthy weight. Because of this, I relate to the weakness he felt before he took the serum, and I share his values of service, decency, and justice.
"Turn the Lights Back On" by Billy Joel
Growing up in the conservative Deep South, it has been extremely difficult to navigate maintaining relationships with my conservative Republican family and friends as a progressive Democrat. However much we might disagree, however, I have managed to hold onto these relationships and show to those people the kind of respect I would want to be shown.
Pretty basically, I believe that the governor and legislature should tirelessly work together, through negotiation and compromise, to bring about the most good for the people they serve. Furthermore, I think the legislature and governor should remain vigilant to check and balance each other to ensure that no branch gains a disproportionate amount of power.
I think housing is and will continue to be, perhaps, our greatest challenge. I believe that, by expanding the supply of multi-family, permanent homes and reducing costs for property owners, we can address it, but it won't be easy. I think, as well, as our population continues to age, we will have to invest heavily in maintaining our workforce and attracting people to our state.
I do. I don't think a lack of government experience should be a barrier to an office like state representative, but, for higher office, I would definitely prefer to see some previous government experience.
Absolutely. In the end, legislators are people, too, and bringing about change on behalf of the constituents requires a network of like-minded people and, sometimes, people who disagree in order to make it happen. That's one of the beautiful aspects of our democracy.
Ted Kennedy comes to mind. There's a reason he was known as "the lion of the Senate". The incredible thing about Teddy was that, while he was a remarkably able legislator, he was a committed liberal who consistently advanced progressive causes throughout his career.
I am interested in advancing in my political career in the future, but where exactly it will lead me has yet to be seen. Stay tuned.
I spoke for a couple of hours lately with a man in Waterville while I was canvassing. He is a member of the LGBTQ+ community who is currently battling COPD. Despite a discouraging prognosis and a life of trauma and struggle, this man continues to be an active participant in local political life and an inspiration to his community. I deeply appreciate his support and consider it an honor to now know him.
Why didn't Han Solo like his steak? Because it was Chewie.
To be honest, I am skeptical of emergency powers, as it increases the likelihood of abuse. If there were a situation that I felt warranted such powers, I would want the legislature to scrutinize their usage as much as possible and only grant what is absolutely necessary.
A bill that would gradually raise the state minimum wage to a living wage over the next few years.
I would particularly love to serve on the Labor and Housing committee, the Taxation committee, and/or the Appropriations committee.
I believe wholeheartedly in both financial transparency and government accountability. I think there's a pretty pervasive stereotype in America that suggests that progressives like myself are reckless tax-and-spend liberals, but, in truth, I want to make sure our tax dollars are spent efficiently just as much as anyone else, and I have no plans on pushing the state budget into a deficit. Furthermore, I believe accountability is the foundation of any functioning democracy and that no person, whether they are a Republican or a Democrat, is above the law.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Andrew Dent campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Maine House of Representatives District 64Lost primary$1,055 $1,055
Grand total$1,055 $1,055
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 20, 2024


Current members of the Maine House of Representatives
Representatives
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District 64
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Dean Cray (R)
District 70
District 71
District 72
District 73
District 74
District 75
District 76
District 77
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District 82
District 83
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Adam Lee (D)
District 90
District 91
District 92
District 93
District 94
District 95
Mana Abdi (D)
District 96
District 97
District 98
District 99
District 100
District 101
District 102
District 103
District 104
Amy Arata (R)
District 105
District 106
District 107
District 108
District 109
District 110
District 111
Amy Kuhn (D)
District 112
District 113
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District 127
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District 135
District 136
John Eder (R)
District 137
District 138
District 139
District 140
District 141
District 142
District 143
District 144
District 145
District 146
District 147
District 148
District 149
District 150
District 151
Democratic Party (76)
Republican Party (73)
Independent (1)
Unenrolled (1)