Harpswell resident and Democrat Everett “Brownie” Carson announced his campaign for Maine Senate District 24, which includes the towns of Brunswick, Freeport, Harpswell, North Yarmouth and Pownal.

At his campaign announcement, which took place Tuesday at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Carson said that his decision to run for the Senate was because “Maine and Maine people have really been good to me and I want to give back.”

Carson, a Bowdoin College alum, said he had dropped out of the institution at one point to join the U.S. Marine Corps. When he returned, through the guidance of an unforgettable Veterans Affairs counselor, he was able to use his VA benefits to complete his education at Bowdoin and also pay his way through law school at the University of Maine.

“That’s the kind of service … and the kind of kinship people in Maine do for each other,” he said.

Carson outlined several legislative issues he would be interested in pursuing as senator, including growing Maine’s economy through small local businesses, improving the health care system to provide stability for families and supporting state education at all levels.

“There’s just no question about it,” he said, “whether we’re talking about pre-K or grade school and high school, or the university system or the community college system, we have to create and maintain the finest education system that we can possibly have in Maine, and that includes job training, skills training and vocational training.”

Carson also continues to be invested in environmental issues, and previously served as the executive director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine for 27 years.

“I am confident that once he gets elected to the state Senate representing our district, that he will represent us nobly and very well,” Brunswick resident Rob Jarratt said. “He is, I think, the perfect person to cut through the great divide that separates our society and our state. He’s a conciliator

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and he is one who listens to both sides of issues and doesn’t lose sight of his goals while he’s doing that.”

“I will work hard to build alliances and to reach across the aisle to work with people of good will and who have, in their cross hairs so to speak, the best and brightest future for the state of Maine,” Carson said.

So far, Carson’s campaign has been successful, having collected 500 signatures to place his name on the primary ballot in June. Carson is also a Clean Election candidate.

Former state Sen. Beth Edmonds was present at Tuesday’s event to support Carson.

Carson is currently the first candidate to announce a run for District 24. The position is currently held by Sen. Stanley Gerzofsky, DBrunswick, who will reach his term limit this year.