Marshall Archer of Saco has announced his candidacy for District 129 State Representative.

District 129 covers part of Saco. Current State Rep. Maggie O’Neil, D- Saco, after serving four consecutive terms, will be “termed out” in November under state law.

Archer, a Democrat, is a life-long resident of Saco. He said in a written statement that after serving four years in the Marine Corps, he made a conscious choice to return to Saco, “reflecting his commitment to the values and lifestyle he cherishes.”  He has a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Southern Maine and a master’s degree in social work from the University of New England.

He currently serves as Deputy Mayor and Ward 1 Councilor for the City of Saco. He said he also serves as a director of partner engagement for a workforce development organization and is also a property investor and parti-time faculty at University of Southern Maine. He is a board member or advisor for several local community organizations, including VET 2 Vet Maine, AMVETS, Southern Maine Finance Authority, and the Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce.

As a Marine Corps veteran who deployed to Iraq twice, Archer said he has a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by veterans. He has served as the Regional Director of Student Veterans of America, played a crucial role in creating a Veteran Student Organization and Veterans Resource Center at the University of Southern Maine, and contributed to the establishment of L.D 1488, a law providing Maine's veterans complimentary access to the state's parks. He describes himself as a “tireless advocate for veterans’ rights and well-being,” and has served as a Veterans and Compliance Officer for the City of Portland.

Archer said he is committed to supporting the workforce and has worked as a seminar instructor at Capella University and a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the State of Maine Department of Labor.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.

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