Jessica Blanchard
Jessica Blanchard (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Maine House of Representatives to represent District 69. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Blanchard completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Jessica Blanchard earned a bachelor's degree from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2004. She earned a graduate degree from Southern New Hampshire University in 2018. Her career experience includes working as a nonprofit professional.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Maine House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Maine House of Representatives District 69
Incumbent Dean Cray defeated Jessica Blanchard in the general election for Maine House of Representatives District 69 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Dean Cray (R) | 72.7 | 3,572 |
 | Jessica Blanchard (D)  | 27.3 | 1,340 | |
| Total votes: 4,912 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Richard Tory (D)
Democratic primary election
Democratic Primary for Maine House of Representatives District 69
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Richard Tory in round 1 .
|
Total votes: 143 |
|||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican Primary for Maine House of Representatives District 69
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Dean Cray in round 1 .
|
Total votes: 517 |
|||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Blanchard in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jessica Blanchard completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Blanchard's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
My mother's parents, a nurse's aide and a union worker, cared for me while my parents worked. My father's parents owned a local supermarket and were pillars of our community. My father, a contractor, exposed me to the world of skilled labor, and many long summer days spent on job sites with him fostered my own strong work ethic. These experiences with family and community continue to guide me. When my four children were young, I owned a home-based childcare center. This firsthand understanding of early childhood education fueled my advocacy efforts for better services and support. It also sparked a passion for training and facilitation, which I've applied in nonprofit and business roles over the last 20 years.
Currently, I serve as the Director of Training at Good Will Hinckley. I hold two BAs in sociology and public policy, and a master’s in organizational leadership. My husband Rob and I reside in Palmyra. Outside work, I enjoy time outdoors with my family, dogs, and chickens, along with reading and attending thought-provoking events. I volunteer with the Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Maine and the Waterville Opera House.- I believe as Americans, we have a profound responsibility to uphold and protect the core values that define our democracy. It’s not enough to enjoy the freedoms that democracy provides; we must actively participate in safeguarding those freedoms for all. This means standing up for our constitutional rights, even when it feels unpopular. True leadership requires us to rise above fear-based politics, reject personal attacks, and focus on the issues that matter to our communities. Our democracy depends on each of us to be engaged, and willing to defend not just our own rights, but the rights of others. We must reject the temptation to tear each other down and instead work towards solutions that strengthen our society.
- I believe that reproductive freedom is fundamental to individual autonomy and personal dignity. The decisions we make about our bodies, health, and futures should remain in the hands of individuals, not government officials. It is essential to protect the right to access comprehensive healthcare, including reproductive services, without political interference. Every person deserves the right to make informed choices about their health and well-being, and this includes the right to decide if, when, and how to start a family.
- We are facing a mental health crisis, worsened by the pandemic, especially among children and young adults. Many working families are feeling the strain, as they navigate the pressures of modern life with limited support. Parents, in particular, often find themselves overwhelmed. To truly address this, we need a comprehensive mental health system and more investment in growing the workforce through job training, fair wages, and incentives. Families can’t do this alone—our society must evolve to provide the support they need to thrive.
Expanding Affordable Housing & Home Ownership
Increasing the Supply of Affordable Childcare
Expanding Workforce Training & Higher Education Opportunities
Expanding Access & Support for Mental Health Services
Protecting our Natural Resources
Integrity is the foundation of effective leadership. Elected officials must do what is right, even when it is difficult or politically inconvenient. In an era of growing public mistrust, integrity is essential to restoring faith in government. Courage is equally important; leaders must be willing to make hard decisions, defend constitutional rights, and focus on meaningful policies, even in the face of personal attacks or political opposition.
Leaders must also have empathy and remain accountable. Empathy helps them connect with the struggles of working families and address systemic issues like housing affordability, healthcare disparities, and the broken mental health system. Accountability ensures they are transparent and responsive to the people they represent.
Vision is critical for addressing both immediate needs and long-term challenges. Leaders should advocate for coordinated approaches to issues like workforce shortages and affordable housing, aligning resources across state and local governments. They should also champion fair tax policies that support working families and seniors while investing in economic growth and opportunity.
Finally, leaders must uphold justice and equality, fighting for policies that protect reproductive freedom, prevent gun violence, and ensure every voice is heard. Supporting voting rights, fair housing, and racial justice must be central to their vision for a fairer and more equitable society.
First and foremost, I am deeply committed to the principles of democracy, including the importance of participation, accountability, and the protection of rights for all individuals. I understand that a thriving democracy relies on active engagement and a shared responsibility to uphold our values. This commitment drives me to advocate for policies that benefit working families and ensure that every voice is heard, especially those who have been historically marginalized.
Integrity is another cornerstone of my approach to leadership. I believe that trust is foundational in public service, and I am dedicated to being transparent and honest in all my dealings. Upholding ethical standards is crucial, and I strive to set an example by making decisions that reflect my values and the needs of my constituents, even when faced with difficult choices.
Courage is essential in politics, particularly when navigating contentious issues or standing up to powerful interests. I am prepared to confront challenges head-on, advocate for common-sense policies, and engage in difficult conversations. This willingness to face adversity is vital to driving meaningful change and ensuring that our democratic processes remain strong and effective.
Set in a prehistoric world, Ayla faces incredible challenges, from navigating her identity as an outsider in the Clan to overcoming personal and societal obstacles. Her journey showcases the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. I admire her ability to learn from her surroundings, develop survival skills, and innovate solutions to complex problems, demonstrating that knowledge and adaptability are essential for overcoming life’s challenges.
Ayla’s strong sense of empathy and connection to others is another reason I find her compelling. She forms deep bonds with those around her, including both her Clan and the Cro-Magnons, and she uses her understanding of their perspectives to bridge gaps between cultures. This quality mirrors my belief in the importance of compassion and understanding in building relationships and fostering community.
Moreover, Ayla’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment is inspiring. She is unafraid to challenge the norms of her time and assert her individuality, which reflects the value I place on authenticity and courage. Through her experiences, she teaches us that embracing our uniqueness and standing up for ourselves can lead to personal growth and transformative change.
Supporting him through this journey has required a delicate balance. I want to ensure he receives the care he needs while also encouraging him to advocate for himself and make his own healthcare decisions. Empowering him to take charge of his health is essential, but it can be challenging when I see him in pain or when we encounter the complexities of the healthcare system. This experience has taught me the importance of communication, resilience, and fostering independence in the face of adversity.
I am incredibly grateful for our health insurance, as it alleviates some of the financial burdens that often accompany chronic illness. However, I also recognize that my son’s life will always be more challenging than his siblings’. He must continuously balance his health needs while navigating our complex healthcare system, which brings a unique set of challenges and pressures that impact his sense of normalcy and well-being.
Maine Education Association
Maine AFL-CIO
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.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Maine House of Representatives District 69 |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 4, 2024
