Allison Hepler of Woolwich has announced she is running for the state legislature, House District 53, which includes Arrowsic, Georgetown, Phippsburg, Dresden, part of Richmond and Woolwich.

“I’m running because everyone deserves access to the best this great state has to offer – whether it’s my students who want to stay in Maine and raise a family, get a good job, and contribute to their community, or the lobsterwoman I met who wants to continue working in an industry that’s been challenged by environmental changes, or the elderly man I know who wants to stay in his home but is one car repair away from losing his home,” Hepler stated in a press release.

“In my six years as a Woolwich selectperson, I understand that every dollar we propose to spend on a town service is a dollar that comes from taxpayers. I’ve also worked hard to make sure those tax dollars are spent responsibly, to help create a sustainable community and a sustainable state. As one example, I’m proud that Woolwich took the future-oriented step of voting for solar panels to power the town’s electricity. I’m also proud to have helped maintain the town’s historic alewife harvest. Preserving that resource also helps improve the waters where so many of our residents work.

These are the kinds of results that create an environment where my students want to build their lives. And this is the world I want to work for.

As a selectperson, an Emerge alumna, and a historian and teacher, I’m an energetic problem solver, a patient collaborator, a careful listener, and I can work with anyone. Whether the issue is large or small – education funding formulas or cutting through red tape to get a different road sign on a local road – I can find answers for my constituents.

I’m proud to be running as a Clean Election candidate. It’s a system that keeps candidates accountable, and makes it possible for any citizen to seek public office. As a recipient of Clean Elections funding in exchange for collecting small donations from residents, I take seriously not being beholden to anyone’s interests except those of the residents I seek to serve. If you live in the district and would like to make a $5 donation, you can do so here: https://www5.informe.org/cgi-bin/online/ethics/cleanelection/home.pl

I’m also collecting a small amount of Seed money, up to $100 from any individual. Donors can write a check to Hepler for House, and mail it to me at 417 Montsweag Rd. Woolwich 04579.

I cannot do this without your help. Get on board – contact me if you can drive, make phone calls, introduce me to your friends and neighbors, or have any questions. I’m excited and humbled by this extraordinary honor of working hard to earn your vote. I look forward to meeting you, seeing you again, renewing old friendships, and making new friends.