State House Dist. 134 race

Incumbent Democrat Traci Gere of Kennebunkport is running against Republican Elizabeth Jordan of Kennebunkport for State House District 134, covering Kennebunkport, part of Kennebunk and part of Biddeford.

The candidates, in alphabetical order.

 Traci Gere, 60, is married with two adult children. She has served in the State House for four years.  She said that prior to being a State Representative, she served on a number of  volunteer committees for RSU 21, including the balancing enrollment task force, the math curriculum review committee, and several renovation planning committees. She also volunteered as a competitive swimming official and a youth mentor at the Biddeford YMCA and as an English as a Second Language instructor.

“My 30 years of leadership experience in the business, nonprofit, and government sectors equip me with the skills to identify the root causes of problems, work with partners to craft good legislation, and collaborate with colleagues to achieve shared goals,” said Gere.

She said she uses her communication skills to build coalitions and advocate for solutions, with the goal of helping Maine people build strong communities and create healthy lives for themselves and their families.

Gere said if reelected, one of her top priorities would be to help communities and people prosper by continuing to build a growing, strong, and sustainable economy.

“I will continue to improve and expand career and technical education, apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and strategies that connect people with good paying jobs and careers in Maine,” she said.

Another top priority would be to assist municipalities in planning for and adapting to a changing future.

“Communities face the challenge of creating a housing supply that responds to these changes and provides opportunities for home ownership, while also protecting the environment and preserving the natural beauty of the place we call home. I will continue to focus on providing to municipalities the needed funding, technical assistance, and expert partners to support our vibrant, beautiful communities into the future,” she said.

She said if reelected she would also address the impacts of climate change and sea level rise continue her work with the Coastal Caucus in the legislature.

 

 Elizabeth Jordan, 64, moved back to her native state of Maine in 2016 after losing her husband of thirty years to cancer. She has three adult children and is a grandmother of three.

“I ran for this seat two years ago after learning that it would go unchallenged. I decided to step up after sensing a call to do so, and though I did not win in 2022, I gained much experience, had a great time meeting people in my community and made many new friends. Previous to this run I was more involved in the background politically, helping others through letter writing and volunteering for candidates and causes,” she said.

Jordan said she volunteered in her children’s schools when they were young. She has volunteered for 12 years in leading a community bible study group, helps connect people to healthy food and local farms, and is involved in the running community.

She said she cares about Maine people and knows that many are struggling.

“My skills and strengths are first of all common sense: an analytical mind that sees beyond the here and now and can consider many views while looking beyond the immediate to long-term outcomes; I know how to balance a budget and how to live on one; I have energy to work because I stay fit through healthy living and continuing to run and compete in road races; and I prefer to listen rather than talk. I also know how to keep my promises,” she said.

Jordan said her top priority if elected would be to ease the burden on Mainers by cutting taxes and regulations that are causing great harm to the state’s small businesses and families.

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