Smith announces candidacy for District 7

    Republican Zachary Earl Smith has announced his candidacy for the Maine State House of Representatives District 7. Smith was selected to replace former Rep. John Churchill of Washburn who withdrew from the running earlier this month.
     Smith will be challenging the positions of freshman Democratic incumbent, Rep. Patricia Sutherland of Chapman. Rep. Sutherland serves on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, and has been a supporter of school consolidation. Smith will be graduating from the University of Maine at Presque Isle with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, he is also currently serving on the Presque Isle Zoning Board of Appeals, and is the Chair of the Aroostook County Republican Committee. 
     Smith, 28, says, “I’ve lived, worked, and want to stay in Aroostook County. As odd as it may sound for someone my age, I truly want to continue to live in the County. If I wanted to be consolidated into Augusta I would move there. The County is my home and I will work hard so that anyone who wants to prosper in the County will have that opportunity. I see great potential to promote economic development and positive change. I understand how critical it is to a town’s economic future to have and retain its own schools, along with keeping other resources local. It won’t be easy but I am thrilled to be running for office, as I have no doubt it will be rewarding. Just to have the opportunity to be part of the change taking place is very exciting.”
     House District 7 includes Castle Hill, Chapman, Hammond, Littleton, Mapleton, Masardis, Monticello, part of Presque Isle, Wade, Washburn and Oxbow Plantation, plus the unorganized territory of Central Aroostook (including E Township).