Republican State Senator James Libby is kicking off his run for governor by emphasizing his pro-business stance and opposition to recent legislative actions like rent caps and energy policies that hinder economic growth.

Libby is also expressing opposition to Maine’s minimum wage, which rose to $14.65 this year, as harmful to businesses.

“If you raise minimum wages to this level, and you’re constantly affecting somebody’s business plan without really any regard for that business plan, you’re asking for all kinds of trouble,” said Libby.

Libby is currently a member of the policy committee for the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce. Among other things, he says he unabashedly supports capitalism.

One of his other priorities is making reforms to the states Medicaid program, also known as MaineCare, which covers low-income people. He says there are structural problems with the state’s Medicaid system, which has led to high costs and the potential closure of hospitals. He wants to sharply reduce the number of people who qualify for the program.

Libby is also focused on education. He says he has extensive experience as an educator and thinks K-12 schools should have study requirements, especially with math.

“We’ve got to have three years of math and that’s going to make its way through the legislature,” Libby said. “Finally, somebody is listening. It’s going to make its way through. We’ve got to have at least three years of math.”

Libby taught two years of math at Sanford High School and currently teaches economics at Colby and Thomas colleges. He expects AI to play a key role in education in the coming years.

Libby is now one of six Republican candidates for governor, including Bobby Charles, who worked in International Narcotics and Law Enforcement during the administration of President George H W Bush.

There’s a growing field of candidates vying to replace Democratic Governor Janet Mills, who is term limited.