TURNER — John Pape of Turner has announced he is seeking the House District 75 seat.

The seat is held by Rep. Jeffrey Timberlake, R-Turner, who cannot run again because of the term limit law.

Pape, a retired Army officer and veteran of the war in Kosovo, served 24 years in a multitude of positions, including a four-year command tour, senior plans officer and Brigade Operations officer. A former combat medical specialist while enlisted in the National Guard, he was later commissioned a second lieutenant.

He is the owner and president of JAPELCO Electrical Contractors in Turner and has been a master electrician since 1997. 

Pape also owns Bennett Electrical Contractors, a firm incorporated by his grandfather in 1958.

Pape is a trustee of the William J. Rogers American Legion Post and active member of the Captain Frank W. Hulett Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.

Pape was in the Boy Scouts of America for 25 years, rising to the rank of Eagle Scout, and served on local, district, council and national Scouting staffs.

Known locally as Major Pape, he began the “Greenlight a Vet” campaign last winter to provide support to veterans by installing one green light outdoors. Pape bought and vowed to give away 1,000 green light bulbs, and has provided 700 bulbs to date.

In a written statement, he said, “The Boy Scouts of America and United States Army are the best leadership labs in the world.”

And, “having the knowledge, skills and abilities that I possess, along with heavy community service, will make a difference in Augusta,” according to his statement.

House District 75 is comprised of Turner, Leeds and part of Livermore.

“The people who live here expect their neighbors to work for their families’ well-being, and do not want more people who can work to get onto welfare programs and the highly expensive MaineCare,” he said.

“I would rather the state put its limited resources into vocational schools and put young people to work,” he said.