About Bruce Poliquin

Watch “Bruce Poliquin - A Mainer’s Story”

I’m a 3rd generation Waterville native.  I played in the neighborhoods, studied at the public schools, and prayed in the churches.  I grew up with a deep-rooted respect for the honest, hard-working people of Maine.  I understand our great State and appreciate our unique quality of life.  (See pics of Bruce Growing Up in Waterville.)

During the late 1800s, my great-grandparents on both sides of the family made their ways from Canada to Northern Maine.  Later, both sets of grandparents settled in Central Maine.  They were hard-working, independent, self-reliant, and proud of their small town heritage.  For four generations our family has invested its hard-earned savings and sweat into the Maine economy.  Poliquins, Cyrs, Doyons, and Bouchards have started and managed many businesses over the years, creating hundreds of jobs for Maine families.

With the support of my loving parents, I worked hard to earn an excellent education.  I completed high school at Phillips Academy, Andover, on scholarship, washing faculty windows to buy my books.  I then studied economics at Harvard University under world renowned professors and business managers, graduating in 1976.  I supplemented my financial aid by busing dining hall tables and cleaning a nearby business office.  Every summer I worked full-time to contribute to my education.  I worked as a construction laborer, textile mill lab technician, house and metal roof painter, movie theater attendant, and groundskeeper.  I learned what it’s like to work with your hands, and I respect those who do.

Even after Andover and Harvard, I still learned the most from my devoted parents.  Dad was a teacher, coach, and principal in the Waterville public schools for 25 years.  Mom was a caring nurse with a big heart and a warm smile.  They never earned much money, but they worked hard, spent wisely, and saved what they could.  For more than 30 years, our house was a small ranch-style in a lively Waterville neighborhood with lots of kids.  Besides the 4% mortgage, my parents never carried any debt.  With my brother, we were a proud and independent family.  Humility, integrity, humor, and a positive can-do attitude embraced the kitchen table. 

After college, the first company I helped build was an asset management firm.  Our privately owned company, Avatar Investors Associates Corporation, managed nearly $5 billion of worker pension funds for corporations such as Bath Iron Works and International Paper.  The three of us who managed the company were entrusted every day with the safe and productive investment of more money than our Maine state government spends in a year.  That professional experience gives me a unique financial perspective in dealing with our State’s financial crisis.

In 1989 I married Jane Carpenter, also a Waterville native.  We returned to Maine and a year later our son, Sam, was born.  (See pics of Bruce’s Family Life in Maine.)  Two years later, Jane and her father died in a tragic accident while we were on vacation.  This was a devastating, life-changing event for me.  I left my investment management business to raise Sam, the joy of my life.

I have started, invested in, and managed a number of businesses that have provided hundreds of jobs to Maine workers.  These companies have introduced millions of dollars into the state economy.  One of my recent businesses, an environmentally-sensitive housing development, has provided good work to more than 200 Mainers. So far, it has injected $4 million into the state economy.  I understand how our economy works.  I know how to manage a business and create jobs.  I have experienced first-hand how difficult it is to operate a business in Maine. 

In addition to my financial and business management experience, I have a passion to help my fellow Mainers.  I’ve served on the boards of a number of non-profit organizations.  Sixteen years ago, I served on the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the largest environmental advocate in the state.  Maine has a strong heritage of protecting our environmental brand, while also fulfilling the economic needs of our towns and counties.  I joined the Council as a pro-business voice.  Unfortunately, it became clear there was little room for compromise and I left after just a couple years.

Another is North Yarmouth Academy, an independent middle and high school, where I presided over the board.  For 17 years I coached baseball/softball players at Maine colleges and high schools, and in Little League.  In 2003 I was flattered to receive the Portland Press Herald’s High School Baseball Coach of the Year Award.  I appreciate our pristine natural environment; understand the importance of education; and enjoy helping Maine kids.

I’m running for Governor because of my passion to help my home State.  During these uncertain times, Maine needs a leader with business management and financial experience.  Someone who grew up in Maine and understands our great State and its people.  Someone who will spend wisely, reduce taxes, and prudently manage taxpayer dollars. 

It’s not enough to simply try to recruit companies to Maine.  Our state government and non-profits have attempted that for years with poor results.  Our next Governor must address the root causes of our inability to successfully compete with other states for good jobs.  We must reduce the cost and complexity of doing business in Maine.  As a business owner and manager with real-world economic and financial experience, I know how to do that.

My vision for our government is to build a new positive attitude toward business development and jobs, while preserving our special quality of life.  I have the character, competence, and commitment to accountability to lead this effort during this critical time in Maine’s history.

Please go to my Plan to Help Maine Families to see my 10-point plan.