Sara Stevens, Democrat, announced her candidacy for House District 17, representing part of Bangor. The seat is currently held by Rep. Sean Faircloth who is not running for re-election.

Ms. Stevens, currently serving as Congressman Michael Michaud's District Representative in the Congressman's Bangor Office, was born and raised in Bangor and brings extensive experience in community service, serving as a Commissioner for the Maine Commission of Community Service, an AmeriCorps alumna, and an American Red Cross Disaster Relief volunteer.

Ms. Stevens graduated from Bangor High School and received both a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Masters of Science Degree from the University of Maine, Orono.

A member of the Bangor Region Leadership Institute class of 2008, Ms. Stevens has worked diligently to implement the recommendations of the Governor’s Conference on Small Business. She notes that providing opportunities for small business and jobs in the creative economy will be among her highest priorities in the Maine Legislature. Ms. Stevens promises to advocate aggressively for initiatives that improve Maine’s economy and help grow local businesses.

Ms. Stevens also recognizes the need to provide quality education for Maine children and provide ongoing training opportunities for new careers for our young people and our neighbors who are faced with career changes.

On health care, Sara Stevens believes in providing access to comprehensive health care. She is dedicated to providing quality affordable health care for every Maine citizen.

Ms. Stevens recognizes that taxes have become an unfair burden to some of the citizens of Maine. She promises to work to create efficiencies in state government while encouraging Mainers of all ages to stay in Maine, work here and raise their families here.

Ms. Stevens stated that as a legislator she will continue her work towards quality education, good paying jobs, effective senior citizens services, assistance for the most vulnerable of our neighbors and a government that is responsive to its people,--all matters in which she believes very passionately.

“As a Bangor native, I will work hard to promote our area and to make sure our concerns are heard in Augusta. No one will work harder to boost Bangor in our state’s Capital.”