JAY - Paul Gilbert has announced his candidacy for the House District No. 87 seat.

Gilbert's background underscores his commitment to social justice, good jobs and affordable health care for all, a statement issued by his campaign stated.

"We are facing complex problems with no easy simple solutions," Gilbert said. "There is a need for respect and communication that brings about results that are in the best interest of the people we serve."

Gilbert, a Democrat, is a lifelong resident of Jay. He graduated from Jay High School before serving on active duty in the U.S. Army for three years. After completion of his military service, he graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a bachelor's degree in 1972.

Gilbert has more than 30 years of private and public sector management experience, according to the statement. He managed supermarkets prior to his career as job service manager for the state, serving Franklin and northern Oxford county people and businesses.

"I've worked all my life helping people here in Western Maine," Gilbert said. "We are hard working people. We are dedicated to our families and our communities. We deserve to be heard. It is my intention to listen to those who live in House District No. 87, my neighbors, to understand their point of view and to represent them in the Maine House of Representative."

He and his wife, Jean, will celebrate 36 years of marriage this year. Jean retired from the Jay School Department and Paul retired from the Maine Department of Labor. The couple have three grown and married children: David, a statistician for UNUM; Matthew, principal at Mountain Valley High School; and Alice, a social worker with Southern Maine Agency on Aging. The couple have 7 grandchildren.

The district is comprised of the towns of Chesterville, Jay, Mercer, New Sharon and Starks.