JAY — Anthony J. Couture, a Republican, is announcing his candidacy for Maine’s House District 87.

Couture, 51 is a resident of Jay. He owns and operates Precision Tanks Inc. and Maple Valley Farms Inc.

He is also the director of the Maine Maple Producers Association, a member of Gideon’s International and the chairman of the Livermore Falls Baptist Church Board of Trustees.

This is Couture’s first venture into politics, according to a release issued by his campaign.

Couture decided to run for office because he is convinced the current Legislature in Augusta has created the worst business climate in the nation, according to the press release from his campaign.

“My objectives if elected are simple,” Couture said in a prepared statement. “The state faces a $1 billion deficit in the next budget, and the Legislature’s majority has no plan to deal with it. They have burdened the taxpayers with one expensive program after another without the slightest attempt at fiscal discipline.

“Maine’s welfare state grows more burdensome every year. If elected, I will support bringing Maine’s welfare qualifications in line with national standards. I will stand behind any sensible proposal for expanded privatization. I will always stand for cutting the budget before increasing taxes. Taxes are already way too high, and everybody knows it.”

District 87 includes the towns of Jay, Chesterville, New Sharon, Mercer and Starks.