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Dustin Ward

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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaigncovered by Ballotpedia. Pleasecontact us with any updates.
Dustin Ward
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 5, 2024
Education
High school
Presque Isle High School
Bachelor's
University of Southern Maine, 2010
Graduate
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, 2019
Personal
Profession
Consultant
Contact

Dustin Ward (independent) ran for election to theMaine State Senate to representDistrict 20. He lost in the general election onNovember 5, 2024.

Ward completed Ballotpedia'sCandidate Connection survey in 2024.Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Dustin Ward earned a high school diploma from Presque Isle High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Maine in 2010, and a graduate degree from the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in 2019. His career experience includes working as a consultant and racial equity and reconciliation advocate.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: Maine State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for Maine State Senate District 20

Bruce Bickford defeatedBettyann W. Sheats andDustin Ward in the general election for Maine State Senate District 20 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Bruce Bickford
Bruce Bickford (R)
 
50.1
 
11,174
Image of Bettyann W. Sheats
Bettyann W. Sheats (D)
 
45.7
 
10,187
Image of Dustin Ward
Dustin Ward (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
4.2
 
930

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 22,291
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia 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.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic Primary for Maine State Senate District 20

The following candidates advanced in theranked-choice voting election:Bettyann W. Sheats in round 1 .

  
Candidate
%
Total Votes
Transfer
Round eliminated
✔
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/BettyannSheats.JPG
Bettyann W. Sheats
 
100
 
1,4530Advanced (1)

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,453
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Republican primary election

Republican Primary for Maine State Senate District 20

The following candidates advanced in theranked-choice voting election:Bruce Bickford in round 1 .

  
Candidate
%
Total Votes
Transfer
Round eliminated
✔
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Bruce-Bickford.png
Bruce Bickford
 
100
 
1,7930Advanced (1)

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,793
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Ward in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also:Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Dustin Ward completedBallotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ward's responses.

Expand all |Collapse all

I’m just a kid from Aroostook County. That local and rural focus undergirds how I view the way in which Maine can continue to move forward for those who call this State home. I am running to represent what it means to actively move politics forward.

A ForWard voice for those who have been unheard and underrepresented; rural communities who are seen as too small to be impactful, marginalized members who rarely have voice in key matters, and voters who have moved away from party politics.

ForWard measures of practical solutions taking the place of having only words as sufficient. Offering steps towards real goals that are clear enough to impact people.

ForWard communication as a facilitator to bridge multiple issues, with multifaceted outcomes for municipalities. Advocating for Towns, Cities, and rural communities to see positive change for their future

With much of our political dynamic fractured, we need a way towards building back a collaborative future.
  • I am committed to bridging the diverse perspectives that enrich our district, transforming innovative ideas and solutions, into tangible realities that achieve our collective goals.
  • My mission is to champion a progressive, inclusive vision for Maine—a vision that places people at its heart, transcends partisan politics, and zeroes in on practical, tangible solutions. Running as an independent candidate, I am driven by the conviction that the diverse voices of all Mainers deserve representation, not just those who pledge allegiance to a particular party.
  • I am committed to leading and learning, especially in areas where experts and other members have worked extensively in the various fields of impact. I like to believe that Vote ForWard ‘24 is not just a campaign; it's a movement towards a Maine that works for everyone, guided by our shared values of prosperity, inclusivity, and resilience. Together, through open dialogue, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to these principles, we can face any obstacle and ensure that the best days for Maine are yet to come.
Child Care and Education, Housing, and Climate and Environmental Conservation
Book: Reading Politics with Machiavelli... it is written by a local professor who I studied under, and speaks to how deep the concepts of politics really is for me.
Elected members should be open, honest, and transparent. They are key individuals who bridge the work of legislative offices to the people, and thus they need to be open about the actions and decisions that happen on any given day.
I am a natural facilitator, and I work to communicate difficult things in a simplified manner. I also have worked with many various groups with different belief systems and so I feel that would aid me in working with multiple types of people to accomplish good policy.
To communicate the needs and represent their constituents to the best of their ability. Elected members consider their decision to assist their constituents first, and then can that decision also assist the larger State as a whole. If a vote can do both of those things, and represent the most people as possible as a positive impact, then it is a good vote.
I picked potatoes for a local farmer, working in his store for a summer.
Trevor Noah's Born a Crime because I feel the aspects of how he sees himself speak to how I have seen myself growing up in Maine.
Collaborative, respectful, and productive. The legislature should do its best to work to find best practices and solutions collaboratively, but also with respect for one another, considering the humanness of each group. In the end, work should always lead to something productive, and do so in a more efficient manner, so that it benefits the people of the State.
Housing, and continuing to invest in small business and small farming. Our state will continue to having a housing crunch unless positive action is taken, but small businesses, which are a backbone of the state, will need to continue to thrive so that Maine can thrive. Farming and producing are a huge commodity for the area and those small farms that have felt the pressure the most will need investment over the next decade.
No. Everyone starts somewhere, and the value of working with people in the legislature is that you can learn and gain knowledge from them. That wealth of resources that currently exists should be something any new legislature can lean on.
Yes without relationships there is no trust, and then votes are done out of fear and not in the name of moving positive work forward. If I can trust that the person I am working with respects me and considers me an equal, then I will not vote because I don't like the other person, and then I can commit to good legislation and positive future impact. This all stems from trust, which is built through relationships.
Angus King continues to be model for those who continue to be independent but want to make impact in the area of Politics.
There has to be a check and balance on power. The legislature becomes a check on the governor, and the courts a check on both. In this way, if use of emergency power were only held in one person, there can be actions taken that are detrimental to the State. I believe there should be a measure of check that grants the use of emergency power.
Legislation that would help the housing crisis; I believe providing equity for those who are renting, while also assisting in the supply of new housing projects would be legislation that could help.
Appropriations and Financial Affairs, Housing, Judiciary, Education and Cultural Affairs
It is vital that the people you represent know how and where their money is being placed. Thus, it is valuable to be transparent, and also knowledgeable regarding finances and government process, so that you can communicate key issues to those who may not fully understand them.

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

Ballotpedia LogoNote: 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 theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.

Dustin Ward campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024Maine State Senate District 20Lost general$2,606 $2,360
Grand total$2,606 $2,360
Sources:OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

See also


External links

Candidate

Maine State Senate District 20

  • Website
  • Instagram

    • Personal

  • LinkedIn

    • Footnotes

    1. ↑Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 7, 2024


    Current members of theMaine State Senate
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    Majority Leader:Teresa Pierce
    Minority Leader:Harold Stewart
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    Democratic Party (20)
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