Alna — Courier Publications reporters and editors came up with a list of questions for candidates based in part on concerns raised by members of the public in "Heard on the Street" interviews. The questions were posed to candidates via email.

Leslie Fossel, R-Alna, is challenging Christopher Johnson, D-Somerville, for the Maine Senate seat in District 20, which includes Waldoboro, Friendship, Washington and Monhegan.

Johnson earned a short term in the Senate after winning the special election against Dana Dow on Feb. 14. The seat was previously vacated by David Trahan of Waldoboro.

Fossel, according to the State House website, has served in the Maine House of Representatives representing District 53, including work on the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, as well as the Government Oversight Committee.

"Fossel is a graduate of Lake Forest College, where he majored in sociology," the site states. "He is the owner of Restoration Resources, an award-winning business, which specializes in historic buildings." He and his wife, Merry, live in Alna on a small farm that includes hay crops and cattle. Their family includes two sons, a step-son, a step-daughter and four grandchildren.

Why are you running?

To help make Maine a better place to live.

What government services, if any, do you feel should be privatized?

This is an ideological question. That is not how I see things. When there is a problem to solve, I try to solve it, making as few changes as possible and costing as little money as possible.

What services do you feel need to be protected from budget cuts?

Government should serve the needs of people. Within the bounds of what government can do effectively, we should protect people who cannot protect themselves and provide the services and infrastructure people need to flourish.

What services that are private now should be taken on by the government?

This is an ideological question. That is not how I see things. When there is a problem to solve, I try to solve it, making as few changes as possible and costing as little money as possible.

Mitt Romney has proposed kicking Medicaid costs back to the states to administer and cutting federal funds for them. Would you support this plan, and how do you think it would impact state government and taxes?

This is an not an appropriate question for Maine Legislative candidates. We have no influence at the federal level.

What is your position on women's health issues including insurance coverage for contraceptives and the option of having abortions to terminate unwanted pregnancies?

I support high quality, affordable and accessible prenatal care for all Maine women. I support sex education unless there is a specific objection on religious or philosophical grounds.

I support insurance that is designed to protect people against unforeseen and unaffordable occurrences. I support health insurance coverage for contraceptives that meets this criteria.

In reference to abortions, this is an appropriate question only for a candidate for the United States Senate or a Supreme Court nominee. In general, I do not believe government should interfere in our private lives.

We have seen a push, particularly from Republicans, for more showing of identification at the polls. What are your thoughts on balancing the need for preventing voter fraud with the need to provide access to citizens wishing to vote?

Laws should be passed only when there is a clearly identified problem that can be solved by legislation. So far, voter fraud has not been shown to be a problem at Maine polling places.

Why aren't there more jobs?

There aren’t more jobs because we are still in the midst of a recession.

What would you do for those seeking to start businesses and create jobs?

We must create a safe, predictable, affordable and supportive environment in Maine for our citizens to start businesses and create jobs.

How would you address the challenge of providing higher education for low and middle-income young people who cannot afford college without massive loans?

Traditional higher education is unaffordable. We need to teach more college courses in our high schools where we can keep the costs low. We need to reform our public colleges to cut costs. We need to direct higher education more towards the career needs of our students. We need to provide lower loan rates for Maine educated students who find a job and stay in Maine.

How can we help Maine people transition from traditional energy sources, particularly for heat, to renewable sources?

We should not help Maine people transition from traditional energy sources unless there is a good reason to do so. If a traditional energy source is harmful to the environment (and the renewable source is not), then we need to find ways to make the renewable source more efficient and cost competitive.

What should be done to protect Maine's environment and resources?

We must do those things that protect both our environment and our economy.

Is the environment a priority for you as a candidate?

Yes.

Do you support state government buying more land to preserve it as state parks?

Only if such a purchase clearly serves the needs of Maine people.

Where do you stand on campaign financing?

While I have been a clean election candidate in three previous elections, I cannot in good conscience take taxpayer funds for my election when there is no money to pay for essential services for Maine people.

What should be done about the state's welfare programs including disability benefits, MaineCare, and substance abuse treatment subsidies?

We need to protect Maine people within the resources available. We need to lower the cost of healthcare in Maine (currently the highest in the world) to free up resources so we can afford to protect Maine people who are in need.

Do you support allowing gay marriage in Maine?

This is currently a referendum question in front of Maine voters. I will support their decision. Further, I will reintroduce my Domestic Partners legislation in the next legislature to insure that Mainers who have formed a family unit are protected regardless of the result of the upcoming referendum.

How do you feel the Tea Party movement has affected local, state and federal politics and policy decisions?

I have seen no impact on a local level.

I think the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements have had similar minor impacts in Maine.

I don’t know about the federal level, since I am not running for federal office.

What has been your career aside from politics?

I run an award-winning contracting business that preserves the architectural heritage of Maine.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Maine?

I’ve lived in Alna since 1981.

What is your education?

I have a bachelor of the arts degree.

Can you tell me a little about your family? Are you married with children, grandchildren?

I am married with four children and five grandchildren.