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Braeden Webber is challenging current state Rep. Cheryl Golek to represent Harpswell and eastern Brunswick as a Republican. He lives on Great Island and works at the Safe Harbor Great Island boatyard while also going to college and helping his grandfather operate the Webber & Sons lobster wharf. He spoke to the Anchor on the phone. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Harpswell Anchor: Tell us about yourself and why you are running.
Braeden Webber: I grew up in Harpswell. I train in the martial art jujitsu. I play music: guitar, bass, drums. Mostly drums.
My family owns a lobstering wharf, and I’ve always helped out down there. My cousin Michael owns Webber Enterprises. The lobster business ties us to the community. We let people use our ramp, and we have neighbors come down for coffee.
The main reason I’m running is a lot of my peers are leaving the state of Maine. They grew up in a place that was affordable; now they see buying a house here is like a fantasy. When my friend moved to Hawaii, I thought, “That can’t be more affordable than Maine.” That was a turning point for me.
A lot of young people talk about how they can’t make it here. I want to inspire my peers to do more. If we keep pushing our kids away, the state of Maine is going to have a huge crisis.
HA: What makes you a good candidate to represent Harpswell and part of Brunswick?
BW: I get to see the problems in the lobstering industry head-on. Bait’s unaffordable, fuel’s unaffordable.
I’ve not strayed far from where I lived when I was 1. I’ve gotten to see this change in Harpswell. It used to be mostly fishermen, and now it’s mostly people who moved here — people who have a lot more money than the locals have. They can afford these houses that are out of my price range.
I’ve seen these changes. I’ll show up and try to advocate for what Harpswell is.
HA: What do you think of the Legislature’s performance in the last several years?
BW: I think it’s not been the best. Why are we not voting to keep costs down? Why are we voting to raise our budget? There’s been no oversight on our budget. I think that needs to be redone. There’s been a series of increases and not a lot to show for it.
HA: What would be your top priorities if elected?
BW: Get costs down.
And education, that’s a real shame. Our neighboring states are top 5, top 10, top 15. We’re 41st nationally. Why is Maine struggling so much?
HA: How should the state address Maine’s (and Harpswell’s) shortage of affordable housing?
BW: If we can get the state more affordable, then we can look at the housing. If we didn’t have to pay taxes on our Netflix. (Note: Starting in 2026, Maine imposed a 5.5% sales tax on streaming services.) If we can get costs down, then we can move people out of apartments into houses and move other people into those apartments. That’s the American dream. Buy an apartment, move up the ranks at your trade job, buy a house. Then another kid can buy the apartment.
We can also streamline permits to build more houses. I think if we could get more permits, that would be a way to start getting more housing.
HA: How can the state better support the marine economy, in Harpswell and beyond?
BW: I think making bait more affordable by expanding quotas would be a good place to start. That would help wharf owners and lobstermen.
We need to expand young fishermen’s development programs. When I was in school, I was the only one who lobstered. Other people didn’t know where to start. I think the state could be better at that. I knew five people when I was in middle school who wanted to be fishermen and didn’t know where to start. If they had a little guidance, I think they could have gone through with that. Maine is built on the lobstering industry. Why aren’t we informing kids how they can do this?
HA: Harpswell’s emergency services are adapting to change. What is the state’s role in ensuring that adequate emergency services are available?
BW: I think that the fire department and emergency response has been good so far. I believe the state’s role has been good so far. We couldn’t ask for a better team of volunteers. I wouldn’t mess with it.
I believe if we move to a central station, it could be good or bad. It will take some time to work out.
HA: What else do you want voters to know about you?
BW: I would like them to know that I’m in this race because I want to see this state thrive. I want to inspire young people to stay and do something about it. If you get one young person started on the path that they can inspire people, bring people to the table, then the rest will join you. I’m doing this for the people.
If you don’t go vote, you won’t see a change. Make sure to go vote.
