State Sen. Bruce Bryant’s personal and political friends, and anyone else who wants to recognize his years of service, will honor him at a chicken barbecue at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 24, at the Eagles Hall in Rumford. Reservations can be made by calling 875-2116, or tickets can be purchased at the door for $15; $12 for students and seniors. All proceeds will benefit the Oxford County Democrats.

DIXFIELD — For nearly 14 years, Bruce Bryant has trekked off to Augusta to try to help the people of the River Valley and the state as either a House or Senate representative.

When mid-December arrives, all that will come to an end.

Bryant, 48, of Dixfield, will leave his District 14 Senate seat because of the term-limit law. But it might not be the end of his political career.

“I’m keeping my options open,” Bryant said Friday. “For right now, I’ll do more hunting and fishing and things around the house.”

He’ll also campaign for the Democrat who is running for his seat, former state Rep. John Patrick of Rumford, and for the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Senate President Libby Mitchell.

“The door will always be open for other political opportunities,” Bryant said. “A part of our family has always been preachers or politicians.”

Originally from Canton, his father, William Bryant, was a fire chief or selectman for many years. His brother, Mark, is a state representative from Windham. And at least two siblings are pastors.

Bruce Bryant, a 1980 graduate of Dirigo High School, and a 30-year employee at the paper mill now owned by NewPage Corp., decided to make a first-time run in 1997 when the State House representative for Mexico, Dixfield and Peru died in office.

Bryant’s term as the Local 900 union president was up, the opening was there and he felt he could do a good job for the district, he said.

He said he has always been concerned about the economy of the River Valley. He was in on the ground floor of the development of the River Valley Technology Center, and worked hard to bring the Fractionation Development Center to this area. The fractionation project was eventually moved to the University of Maine.

“There is so much potential,” Bryant said. “We tried but failed. It would have been a lot of opportunity for this area.”

Other actions of his and fellow legislators have benefited Maine people, he said.

He’s particularly pleased with the public awareness he has helped create for Lyme disease and its potential effect on people.

“The disease is recognized. It needs to be seriously looked at by doctors,” he said.

He was quick to add that any legislation he is proud to be part of was just that: He was part of it.

“You can do a lot of things (in the Legislature) as long as you don’t care who gets the credit for it. It’s ‘we,’” he said.

Some of the laws enacted that he believes have helped Maine people include the Homestead Exemption, the stabilization of milk prices, technological changes that make it easier for Maine residents to obtain licenses, and modifications to hunting and fishing laws.

“I like the idea that you’re able to help people who are having difficult problems,” he said, citing a time he helped a local woman save her home. “I like meeting a lot of people and have made a lot of friends around the state.”

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