LEWISTON – Well, that didn’t take long.

A day after state Sen. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, announced she would not seek re-election in November, another Lewiston Democrat is looking to fill her spot.

State Rep. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, announced Friday that he will launch his campaign next week for the district which comprises Lewiston.

“I’m excited for the challenge and opportunity of serving the people of Lewiston in the Senate,” Libby wrote in a news release. “We need strong leadership in Augusta and I’ll be a forceful advocate for our city and its people.”

Craven announced Thursday that she will retire in order to care for her ailing husband. According to the release, Craven is endorsing Libby as her replacement.

“I am pleased to support Nate Libby for this seat,” Craven wrote. “He will bring a great deal of energy to the Senate, and I know he will always put Lewiston first.”

Libby is completing his first term in the Maine House of Representatives and has been serving on the Lewiston City Council since 2012.

In the Legislature, he serves on the Taxation Committee where he co-sponsored legislation for comprehensive tax reform. He has also worked to restore revenue sharing, expand access to pre-kindergarten education and make health insurance more affordable.

Libby also serves on the board of Androscoggin Head Start, the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council, Lewiston’s Community Development Committee and the working group for Lewiston’s first universally accessible playground.

Libby is a graduate of Bates College and works as a consultant and landlord in Lewiston-Auburn. He has a wife, Andrea, and a 4-year-old son, Jude.

According to the release, Libby will launch his campaign at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Museum L-A.

Copy the Story Link