LEWISTON — With state Rep. Jared Golden’s decision to run for a U.S. House seat instead of a third term in the Legislature, Democrat Kristen Cloutier hopes to claim the 60th District seat.

Cloutier, the president of Lewiston’s City Council, said Monday that she feels “called to do something beyond the municipal level.”

She said she wants to carry on Golden’s work to help immigrants and to deal with the lead paint problem that afflicts many who live in Lewiston’s old houses.

Cloutier will face Republican Leslie DuBois, a former City Council member, who recently filed as a candidate. So far, there are no other contenders for the seat.

If she’s successful in winning the district in the Nov. 6 general election, Cloutier said she plans to finish her term on the council as well as serving the city in Augusta. She said it may prove a crazy year but she’s convinced many of the issues she deals with would relate to both her municipal and state roles.

“It’s a great opportunity at the right time in my life,” Cloutier said.

To pull it off, she intends to cut back on her hours at Bates College where she is assistant director for center operations at the Harward Center for Community Partnerships.

Cloutier is married and has a daughter.

She said one reason she’s running is to set an example for her daughter, to show her women need to stand up and speak out.

scollins@sunjournal.com

Lewiston City Council President Kristen Cloutier (File photo)

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