Republican Lani Kelly, 53, of Windham, has announced her candidacy for state Senate.
In the upcoming November election, Kelly, who describes herself as a traditional conservative, is vying to replace incumbent Sen. Bill Diamond, a Democrat, for the District 12 Senate seat serving Windham, Casco, Standish, Raymond, Frye Island and Hollis.
“Being a Maine native, I’m pretty fed up with the way things are going in this state,” Kelly says.
Kelly believes the moral tone of politics has changed throughout the years leaving the lives of Maine people to be overlooked. If elected, she vows to be a steadfast Republican who will bring “real representation” back to Maine politics.
With her daughter Simone now in college, Kelly says she finally has the time to dedicate to public service, prompting her decision to run.
Kelly, a senior consultant at Mary Kay, says politics have always been a strong part of her life and her family heritage. Both her parents ran for legislative seats back in the 1940s and politics were in constant debate at the dinner table.
She is a strong supporter of “pro-family” and “pro-life” initiatives as well as tax reform initiatives such as the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights – a constitutional amendment to control government spending at all levels.
“People are complaining that they can’t afford to live in Maine,” she says. “I think there needs to be some sort of halt put on gross negligence in spending by the state government.”
If elected, Kelly hopes to look for ways to lessen Maine’s property tax burden, a burden that has climbed to become the highest in the nation.
As a former substitute teacher in the Windham middle and elementary schools, Kelly is focused on improving the education received in Maine’s public schools and making post-secondary education more affordable.
“We need to make education more attractive for our children and not just a process they go through to get socialized,” Kelly says.
If elected, Kelly aims to lower the cost of healthcare through support of a “free market risk pool.” This would allow for health insurance carriers to return to Maine and offer competitive and affordable premiums with better coverage, she says.
Regarding Maine health, Kelly is worried about drug and alcohol dependency in Maine and believes youth and adults alike sometimes lose hope and turn to alcohol and drugs to ease the pain. In the past, Kelly has worked with local and national organizations to educate young people and adults on the dangers of alcohol and drug use.
She is also dedicated to supporting seniors and making sure Maine’s elders are cared for.
A political science graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Kelly has worked on many Senate campaigns and political initiatives.
She is looking forward to a spirited and friendly race against Sen. Diamond, a veteran of the state Legislature and former Secretary of State.
“He’s a good guy,” Kelly says. “But he’s on the wrong team.”
Sen. Diamond, who will be seeking re-election in November, is likewise looking forward to the race. He says he is proud of the work he’s done so far, especially in regard to criminal justice and public safety, and hopes to continue to serve the district.
“I welcome the candidacy,” Diamond said. “It’s always healthy to have competition for the seats.”
In the coming weeks, Kelly will be going door-to-door throughout the six-town district to announce her candidacy and talk with residents about what issues are concerning them. If you would to contact her directly, she can be reached at 892-7301 or via e-mail at Lani15@verizon.net.
Lani Kelly, of Windham, has thrown her hat into the District 12 race for state Senate, challenging incumbent Bill Diamond.Send questions/comments to the editors.
