JAY — Tina Riley of Jay has announced her candidacy for Maine House District 74, which includes Jay, Livermore Falls and part of Livermore.

According to a written statement released by Riley, she is focused on supporting good-paying jobs, controlling the local tax burden and providing lifelong educational opportunities for the people of the tri-town area.

“The people in my community are concerned about the downturn in the paper industry,” she said. “They want a representative in Augusta who will work hard to protect those jobs and keep property taxes under control, while growing educational opportunities for our children’s future, and that is what I am prepared to do.”

According to the statement, House District 74 Rep. Paul Gilbert said “Tina Riley is an experienced business owner and master electrician. She knows that successful economic development and good educational opportunities lead to attaining good paying jobs and rewarding careers. Tina will work for both.”

Riley, 48, and her husband, Shawn, have teenage sons, Shane and Bryan. Together with Shawn, she owned and operated Moelco Electric in Jay for many years, and more recently worked as an electrician at Rumford Paper Co.

She has served on the Jay Budget Committee and is an active volunteer mentor with the Spruce Mountain Area Robotics Team.

Riley completed a five-year electrical apprenticeship through Augusta Electrical JATC, and holds a degree in industrial electrical/electronic technology from Kennebec Valley Community College. She expects to complete a bachelor of applied science degree with a minor in business administration from the University of Maine at Augusta in May.