RANGELEY — Joanne Dunlap of Rangeley Plantation announced her candidacy for the state Senate at a rally on New Year’s Day. About 30 people attended the two-hour event at the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Dunlap is vying for the District 18 seat in the November election. The district encompasses all of Franklin County except Jay, and some towns in Kennebec and Somerset counties.

Tom Saviello of Wilton holds the seat.

Guests at the event were encouraged to sign Dunlap’s nomination papers to place her name on the ballot as a Democratic candidate and to donate $5 to help her qualify as a Maine Clean Election candidate.

Dunlap made a short speech in which she introduced herself and gave a brief autobiography.

Born in 1943 in Newburgh, N.Y., her father served in the Air Corps and the family followed him around the country. She spent every summer with her grandmother in Rangeley and came to love the area.

After a career as a high school teacher in Concord, N.H., Dunlap retired to Rangeley and taught and subbed for two years in the local school. She runs Mo’s Variety on Main Street in Rangeley and raises Icelandic sheep on about six fenced acres on South Shore Road.

Acknowledging that unseating Saviello would be a difficult task, Dunlap said she would focus on economic issues, such as state cuts to Medicaid.

“I do think voters are looking at what’s happening,” she said, “and Maine is not that kind of place — we take care of our own. I have a feeling the voters are going to take a look and say, wait a minute!”

Dunlap said that a career as a science teacher has also made her sensitive to environmental issues, such as the vernal pool debate. Gov. Paul LePage sent a list of proposals to the Legislature aimed at reducing red tape, which included reducing setback requirements for development around vernal pools.

Anne Geller, chairwoman of the Franklin County Democrats, said, “I’m absolutely delighted that Joanne is running. She was the first person I suggested it to, and when she said ‘yes’ it was a thrill.”