HOULTON, Maine — Kathryn Harnish, a Democrat from Houlton, has launched a campaign for Maine’s House District 144, bringing her experience as a small business owner and strategic problem-solver to a campaign focused on the prosperity of the people of northern Maine.
“I’m honored to represent the Democratic party in District 144 this November and excited to bring a vision for ‘better’ to my northern Maine neighbors,” said Harnish. “I’m running to amplify the voices of the hard-working folks who want to build a better future for their families and communities and to bring forward innovative ideas for sustainability and prosperity in rural areas of Maine like ours.”
Harnish laid out three areas of critical focus for her campaign.
First on her list is responding to the impact of COVID-19 in a pragmatic way that balances economic recovery with public health. “COVID-19 is laying bare the vulnerabilities and inequalities in our society, and to address this, we must develop policies that enable us to reopen responsibly, increase our prosperity in a new normal and create resilience that positions us for a better response in times of future crisis,” she said.
Secondly, thoughtfully investing in rural communities and their people to ensure adequate health care, top-notch education, necessary infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and the creation of good jobs, is a priority for the candidate.
Thirdly, fostering respectful, transparent dialog that allows people to bridge differences and unite in our common interests is a goal.
Other priorities and commitments, as well as a full biography, are included on the Harnish for Maine 144 website, available at https://www.harnishformaine144.com/.
“Kathryn cares deeply about the communities in District 144, and I know that she will bring passion, commitment, and uncompromising focus on results to her work in Augusta,” said Ginette Rivard, Aroostook County chairman of the Maine Democratic Party. “I look forward to working with her on a dynamic and successful campaign.”
Harnish and her husband, Robert Lawless, own and operate Took a Leap Farm, where they raise Nigerian dwarf goats and produce artisan cheese in their state-licensed creamery. In addition, the candidate has served in several senior-level leadership roles in the library software industry in a career that has spanned 20-plus years.
In April 2020, she began the pursuit of her master’s degree in social work at the University of New England; she also holds master’s degrees in library science and business administration.
Maine House District 144 comprises the municipalities of Amity, Bancroft, Benedicta Township, Cary, Glenwood, Haynesville, Hodgdon, Houlton, Macwahoc, Molunkus Township, Orient, Reed, Silver Ridge Township, South Aroostook, and Weston.
