Current District 53 Rep. Allison Hepler will face off against small business owner Kelly James in a race to represent the new District 49, which now includes the towns of Arrowsic, Georgetown, Phippsburg, West Bath and Woolwich.
Hepler, D-Woolwich, is seeking her third term in Augusta after back-to-back narrow wins over the previous District 53 representative, Republican Jeffrey Pierce. The former University of Maine at Farmington history teacher hopes to advocate for local lobstermen and address the region’s lack of affordable housing options.
Georgetown resident James stepped into the race after Republican primary winner Richard Tetrev withdrew. Though new to state politics, James plans lean on her experience on several boards and committees, including the AOS 98 School Board, while battling inflation that has contributed to Maine’s rising cost of living.
Q&A with Allison Hepler
Tell the voters about yourself.
I’m a recently retired history teacher at University of Maine at Farmington, a Woolwich selectperson for 12 years, a historian and volunteer with Maine’s First Ship, which built and launched Virginia into the Kennebec this year. I’ve lived in Woolwich for almost 40 years, and it’s been an honor to serve in the legislature for four years. I also have two working vehicles from the 20th century.
Why are you running for this seat?
I believe in public service. Quite simply, I love our communities, and I want to make sure their concerns are represented in the legislature and in our state. I’m a listener, and I’ve followed up with every constituent who’s reached out with a concern or question or crisis. As a selectperson, a legislator and a teacher, I know how to work collaboratively. I’ve always served responsively, resourcefully and with integrity.
What are the biggest challenges or concerns facing your district in the coming term?
Energy prices, affordable housing, workforce – especially in health care and the service industry – and the future of the lobster fishery. We need to make sure our residents can afford to stay in their homes, weatherize them if needed, and access heating assistance. The lobster fishery needs strong advocates who understand the complexity of all the moving parts. Keeping and attracting people to Maine requires attention to quality schools, infrastructure and good paying jobs.
What are your top priorities if elected?
First – and always – I seek out and pay attention to the issues brought to me by those I represent. I’ll continue my long advocacy on behalf of our fisheries, serving on the Marine Resources Committee. I’m working with DEP on the bottle redemption law to make it sustainable and available. Finally, I want to ensure that the new housing law works in our communities, notably its impact on our towns without municipal water and sewer.
Q&A with Kelly James
Tell the voters about yourself.
I am a hardworking small business owner, community volunteer, wife and mother. I have successfully run small businesses. My latest venture, Apple Cove Oysters is a family run oyster farm that I run with my husband Drew and our two children. My work ethic comes from watching my mother, a single parent and native of Phippsburg, put in long hours to make ends meet. Fortunately, I give back to my community by serving on Georgetown School Committee, AOS98 School Board, Georgetown Historical Society, Sagadahoc County Budget Advisory Committee, Phippsburg Sportmens Association, and volunteering in clubs and boat building with Georgetown students.
Why are you running for this seat?
Because our government is increasingly disconnected from the daily lives of people back home. The two people who were most influential in my decision to run are my daughter and my late father-in-law. Both represent a segment of our population that are extremely important in our District. Our retirees should be able to afford to stay in Maine, and our children should have the opportunities and ability to stay here.
What are the biggest challenges or concerns facing your district in the coming term?
The biggest challenge I see is that Maine is becoming increasingly unaffordable for people of average means. It costs the average Maine family $566 more a month to live here than in 2021. That adds up to $6,792 a year!
Wages have not kept pace with rising costs and I worry what will happen to our most vulnerable citizens, now that heating season is here, and heating oil is approaching $2 a gallon more than last fall.
Runaway inflation affects everyone, but overregulation of businesses also raises prices and creates barriers, especially for our lobster industry.
What are your top priorities if elected?
Lowering energy prices. More state focus on the opioid/fentanyl epidemic that is ravaging Maine families and communities all across Maine.
I have a degree in Finance which has led to working on many committees’ budgets. I hope to bring that expertise to Augusta. We need to find ways to allocate the current tax revenue without overtaxing our citizens.
I will also focus on creating more opportunities for career and technical education. Early and ongoing technical education will only help grow our workforce and help our children find good paying careers in Maine.
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