Scarborough Town Councilor Shawn Babine has decided to make a run for the House District 127 seat currently held by Republican Darlene Curley.

“I’ve had a desire to work toward that level of service for many years,” said Babine, a Democrat, saying a run for the Legislature was something he has wanted to do since high school.

This is Babine’s first time running for state office, but he believes the experience he’s gained while serving on the Scarborough Board of Education and Town Council provides him with a strong understanding of the issues facing schools and municipalities.

“I do think I possess some real experiences that are important to Scarborough citizens,” he said.

Babine also has been active with the Cumberland County Commissioners, serving on their budget committee and a panel looking at altering the make-up of the county commission.

Babine was reelected to the Town Council in November. At that point, he said he wasn’t thinking about running for the House.

During the campaign, Babine said there were many people who encouraged him to run for higher office, but it was his 13-year-old daughter Olivia that finally convinced him to run.

When the two were discussing future professions Babine told his daughter she should do something that she would enjoy doing and she asked why he was not running for the Legislature. That was when he finally decided to make the move.

Babine, the vice president of corporate small business risk for TD Banknorth, submitted his papers to the Secretary of State in early January, but had not announced his candidacy until The Current contacted him.

“I wanted to get it done and over with,” he said about filing the papers. “I’m not running against Ms. Curley, I’m running to fill the seat she currently holds.”

Curley, who is in her second term, has been rumored to be a candidate for both governor and possibly Congress. She has not made a decision on her future political aspirations, but expects to make one within a couple of weeks.

“It is such a compliment to have my name associated with those positions,” she said. “I’m still considering the best way to serve Maine.”

The fact Babine is running for her seat will not effect her decision, which she said would be based on how she can best serve Scarborough and the state.

If Curley decides not to run for reelection, she said there are a number of prominent Republicans who are interested in running.

“It will be a good race,” she said.

She said she has enjoyed her time working for Scarborough in the Legislature. “It is such an honor and privilege to represent Scarborough,” she said. “There’s a lot of interest in running for that House seat.”

Curley said Babine has a record of public service in town and will be a good candidate. However, she believes the upcoming election is more about the issues facing the state such as job creation, affordable health care and lower taxes, than the individuals vying for a post.

Babine said he was not running because he disliked the job Curley had done in Augusta or because of her politics. “This isn’t about Darlene,” he said “I think she’s represented Scarborough with integrity. This about what I think I offer.”

Babine said he has enjoyed helping to work on issues that changed the face of the town, which he feels is one of the highlights of being an elected official.

If elected, Babine plans to resign his council seat, which was a consideration when he was deciding to run, but ultimately he decided that the town would not fall apart if he decides to vacate his council seat.

Babine said he would stay on the council until the next election so the town would not have to spend money to hold a special election to fill his seat.