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Rural Economic Development
Piscataquis County has long been overlooked by Augusta when it comes to investment and economic opportunity. Chad believes the North Woods region's working forests, outdoor recreation economy, and small businesses deserve real support — not lip service.
Chad will fight to reduce regulatory burdens that strangle small businesses and family farms in rural Maine. He supports targeted investment in infrastructure — roads, broadband, and utilities — that make it possible for businesses to grow and families to stay in communities like Dover-Foxcroft. Chad believes a healthy forest products industry, a thriving outdoor recreation economy, and support for local entrepreneurs are the pillars of a sustainable rural economy. He will push back against one-size-fits-all Augusta policies that ignore the reality of life in District 4.
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Protecting Property Rights
Chad is a firm defender of the right of Mainers to own, use, and enjoy their land without government overreach. He opposes land use regulations and conservation mandates that strip rural landowners of their rights without fair compensation.
From expanding state land holdings to environmental regulations that effectively lock up private property, Chad has seen firsthand how Augusta's policies can undermine the livelihoods of landowners in Piscataquis County. As State Senator, he will oppose eminent domain abuse, push for greater transparency in any land use rulemaking that affects private citizens, and ensure that the voices of local landowners are heard before any new restrictions are enacted. Property rights are foundational — and Chad will defend them.
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Veterans & Military Families
As a U.S. Army veteran himself, Chad Perkins is personally committed to making sure Maine honors its promises to those who served. Veterans in rural Maine face unique barriers to accessing benefits, healthcare, and mental health services.
Chad knows the sacrifices military families make because he and his family made them too. He will advocate for improved access to VA services for veterans in rural areas, push for stronger mental health resources for returning service members, and support tax relief for veterans and military retirees. He will also work to ensure that Maine's veteran-owned small businesses get a fair shot at state contracts. Serving those who served is not a talking point for Chad — it is personal.
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Lowering the Cost of Living
Maine families are being squeezed by rising property taxes, high energy costs, and an ever-expanding state government. Chad supports reducing the tax and regulatory burden on working Mainers so they can keep more of what they earn.
Energy costs hit rural Mainers especially hard, and Chad supports expanding energy independence through affordable, reliable sources — including domestic energy production — while opposing costly mandates that drive up utility bills. He will work to rein in state spending, push for meaningful property tax relief for homeowners and seniors on fixed incomes, and fight against any new taxes that make it harder for families to get ahead. Government should be working for the people — not draining their wallets.
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Public Safety & Second Amendment
Chad is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and believes law-abiding Mainers have the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. He also supports investing in the law enforcement and first responders who keep our communities safe.
In rural Maine, where response times can be long and neighbors depend on each other, the right to self-defense is not abstract — it is essential. Chad opposes any legislation that would infringe on the rights of responsible gun owners in District 4. He also believes Maine must adequately fund and support local law enforcement, sheriffs, and volunteer first responders who are the backbone of public safety in communities like Dover-Foxcroft. Chad will stand against efforts to defund or undermine these critical services.
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Broadband & Rural Infrastructure
Access to reliable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury — it is essential for education, healthcare, business, and everyday life. Too many homes and businesses in Piscataquis County are still left behind.
Chad has seen the direct impact of broadband gaps on his constituents — students unable to complete homework, small business owners unable to compete, and telehealth services that are out of reach for seniors. He will push for accountable, efficient deployment of broadband funding to ensure that rural District 4 communities actually get connected — not just promised connectivity on a map. Alongside broadband, Chad will advocate for road and bridge maintenance funding that reflects the real needs of rural communities, not just population density.