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🎙️ Q-Point Podcast | Angus King III — Part One

“Life’s Just Become Too Hard For Too Many Folks Here In Maine …” — King On Why He Entered The Race

In Part One of Corenna and David Quirk’s conversation with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Angus King III, he explains why he entered the race, arguing that Maine is at a moment where everyday costs, housing shortages, healthcare strain, and energy affordability are making life harder for too many people across the state. Drawing on his background—from early political work and time in the White House to a career spent building affordable housing and large-scale energy projects—King outlines the perspective he says he brings to governing: practical problem-solving with a focus on results.

A central focus of the conversation is Maine’s housing challenge, which King reframes as a housing opportunity. He describes regulatory complexity, lengthy permitting processes, and disconnected state systems as key barriers that drive up costs and slow construction—often making affordable housing harder to build than market-rate homes. King discusses the need for a cultural shift toward “how do we get to yes,” along with better coordination among state agencies, support for municipalities on zoning and planning, and encouragement of innovation in construction, design, and financing.

The discussion then broadens to healthcare and demographic pressures, including workforce shortages, rural hospital closures, aging-in-place needs, and the growing financial impact of dementia care. King emphasizes prevention, public health, and system-wide thinking as ways to improve outcomes while controlling long-term costs. He also addresses challenges within DHHS, stressing that while intentions are good, government must become more responsive and easier for Mainers to navigate.

On energy, King draws on decades of industry experience to outline a systems-level approach focused on affordability, reliability, and accountability for ratepayers. He discusses permitting reform, grid efficiency, renewable energy, and responses to criticism of wind power, emphasizing collaboration among stakeholders and long-term planning. The episode closes with King’s view on bridging partisan divides by focusing on shared priorities, practical solutions, and a bias toward action that puts Maine people first.

📻 Airs weekends on VOM (The Voice of Maine — 101.3 FM, 103.9 FM & The Voice of Maine App).
⬇️ 🎧 Now streaming on QPointPodcast.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & more.
Produced and sponsored by Corenna Quirk, Broker at NextHome Experience.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily represent those of the hosts, Q-Point Podcast associates, or affiliates.

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