Woloson announces campaign for District 18

Ann Woloson, who ran a close race in 2008, announced her candidacy for Maine State Senate in District 18 in the upcoming November election. District 18 includes all of Franklin County, except Jay, and several towns in Kennebec and Somerset counties.

Married and a mother of two children, Woloson’s family was her first concern when considering another run. “They’ve encouraged me and support from people throughout the district as well as the need to address issues important to many who live here has inspired me to move forward with this campaign,” Woloson. “I’ve heard from many people who are concerned and expect more from their elected officials. I share that sentiment and will work hard to address those concerns including jobs and the economy, health care, taxes, education and our environment, to name a few.”

State Sen. Walter Gooley, R-Farmington, announced he will not be seeking another term. State Rep. Thomas Saviello, R-Wilton, has announced he is also running for the District 18 seat.

A graduate of the University of Maine, she sees education as key in getting Maine back on track. She points to her Maine degree as the means which helped her find work and raise her family in Maine. She knows it’s important that children, young adults and people looking for work have the tools they need to thrive in today’s economy. She sees first hand the how hard teachers and schools are working to address the needs of students, and the economic and social challenges they face in meeting education goals. She’ll work to improve resources for our schools, and to preserve our community college and university system.

Woloson believes more can be done to attract, support and keep businesses in Maine. She’ll work to reduce costs and reward businesses for the important contributions they make to our communities. “Western Maine is a hotbed of activity. Our outdoor recreational, forestry and farming industries and small businesses provide incredible opportunity and I’ll work to protect and build upon these assets,” she said. At the same time, she understands the value of the region’s natural resources, the reason many have made their home in western Maine, and will work to preserve our environment.

She’s eager to help families who are struggling to make ends meet and people who have lost their jobs. “The economy affects our ability to thrive in many ways,” Woloson said “nearly everyone is worried about their financial security.” She cautions lawmakers not to lose sight of the real needs many families and businesses have in today’s economy. “Times are tough, not just in Maine, but across the country and everyone needs to tighten their belts, including state government” said Woloson. “We must recognize though, that this period of economic downturn, where 1000s have lost jobs and even more struggle to make ends meet, is not the time to pull the rug from under their feet. Reducing our safety net, eliminating more jobs, and making what prospects or opportunities we do have, including higher education, health care and public safety more expensive, will only make things worse for families, businesses and local communities which are forced to pick up the slack.”

Woloson encourages lawmakers to work together to prioritize and address problems. She sees people and businesses throughout the district doing just that – coming together, regardless of their political affiliations, to safeguard communities, while at the same time looking after neighbors and giving what they can, even in difficult times to help those in need.

“People of District 18 embody what is best about Maine. A snowboarding-cross Olympian, Maine’s Attorney General, and a local bank CEO serving on a Federal Reserve Board Advisory Council; they prove what is possible.” Woloson said. She appreciates the endless volunteer efforts of many, including church members, Rotarians and others who brought the community together for a potluck supper last week to raise money for Haiti. “This campaign is not so much about me, but rather about the extraordinary people who live here and what is best about living and working in western Maine.”

Ann has worked for several years in Maine’s nonprofit sector, currently as director of a nonprofit working to improve access to safe, effective and affordable medicine. She was Maine’s Kids Count coordinator for the Maine Children’s Alliance and worked at Consumers for Affordable Health Care to improve access to health and dental care and preserve consumer protection insurance laws. She worked early in her career for Maine’s Medicaid program serving the elderly, disabled and poor, and was chief of staff for Maine’s Senate Majority Office. In college, she worked in the northern woods gathering tree samples and data as part of Maine’s Spruce Budworm Project to help preserve Maine’s forestry industry. She also developed a health education resource library and wrote the first Patient Bill of Rights for the student health center in Orono.

“My work experience in both the private and public sectors provide me with the knowledge and leadership skills needed to move Maine forward on issues people care deeply about,” said Woloson, who has also chaired and served on numerous health care related boards and commissions throughout her career.

Ann and her husband have volunteered in their community for years, helping with school, town recreation, sports and scouting activities. She served as an active member of Literacy Volunteers for nearly 20 years, first as a tutor, then a trainer, and eventually as board chair and was awarded the statewide administrative volunteer of the year award in 2001. She enjoys figure skating, cross country skiing, hiking and kayaking, and is an organic gardener. She’ll run as a Maine Clean Elections candidate and welcomes you to contact her to let her know what is on your mind and for information about her campaign at ann.woloson@myfairpoint.net.