LEEDS – State Sen. John Nutting, a local dairy farmer, announced this week that he is running for re-election from District 17, which serves 10 rural and suburban towns in Androscoggin County.

In his current term, Nutting said he has concentrated on environmental issues, a fairer funding formula for local schools, a better health-care solution and the critical need to attract and keep good jobs.

“These are complex issues, and all my years of legislative experience have certainly helped me become effective in crafting solutions,” he said in a prepared statement. “Progress has been made, but much work remains to be done.”

Nutting said he was proud to have sponsored the clean rivers bill last year, but noted that implementation of the law will have to be monitored closely over the next two years before success can be claimed.

Nutting also worked to defeat the governor’s plan to borrow money to balance the budget and said he pushed for a more responsible budget package, which was approved by the Legislature, he said.

“I’ve worked hard and effectively, and have proven that I’m more interested in the merits of an idea than which side of the aisle it came from,” he said.

He said he plans to keep building on his foundations. For example, the homestead exemption tax credit ought to be fully funded so the burden doesn’t shift to small towns, he said.

Nutting again plans to run as a Clean Election candidate. He has served eight years in the state Senate and six years in the Maine House of Representatives.

His Senate district contains the towns of Greene, Leeds, Lisbon, Livermore, Livermore Falls, Mechanic Falls, Minot, Sabattus, Turner and Wales.