DALLAS PLANTATION – Nancy Bessey has announced her candidacy for the Maine House of Representatives in District 91.

“If elected, I promise to be a strong voice for the people of House District 91, a voice for responsible government, for strong schools and communities, for protecting our small businesses and investing in the future,” Bessey said in a statement. “The state Legislature must set a new direction to create economic success and a better quality of life. I have always been an agent of change in my life and career, and now I have the time, energy, and skills to help set that new direction in Augusta.”

The district includes Albany Township, Bethel, Dallas Plantation, Eustis, Gilead, Hanover, Kingfield, Lincoln Plantation, Magalloway Plantation, Newry, Rangeley, Oquossoc, Stoneham, Upton and Woodstock.

Bessey retired from the energy business after 20 years of developing and managing conservation programs, siting, building and financing power plants across the country.

She was a co-owner of a NASCAR Winston Cup racing team, and primary sponsor of a winning Indy 500 race team owned by AJ Foyt.

She coaches Rangeley Middle School’s boys and girls basketball programs.

She graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in Latin, and holds a master’s degree in library and information studies from the University of California at Berkeley.

Bessey is an investment partner in Lake Region Air, a scenic air charter service, Long Lake Farms, a potato farm, and more than 1,000 acres of land development.