ALFRED — West of the Maine Turnpike, things are heating up in the race for House District 21 as Aaron Carroll, a local farmer and forester, goes head-to-head with Heidi Sampson, a state education policy maker.

The district, which currently has no incumbent, covers Alfred, Newfield and parts of Limerick, Parsonsfield and Shapleigh.

Carroll, a Democrat, is the third-generation owner of Alderwood Farm Inc., a small family farm in Limerick, where he lives. He holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry from the University of New Hampshire, and is a licensed consulting forester serving landowners in Maine and New Hampshire.

The 39-year-old husband and father of two said he is running for the House seat because of his family’s active history in local politics. Carroll said he was inspired by his grandfather, George Carroll, who served 14 years in the Legislature.

“I have always wanted to serve the hardworking people of Limerick and the surrounding towns and Maine as a Representative to the Legislature as my grandfather did before me,” said Carroll, who is also chairman of the Limerick Planning Board. “I also believe that we are at a pivotal point in state and national politics, and need members of our legislative branch to be able to compromise for the good of our state.”

Sampson, a Republican, is a resident of Alfred and chair of the Career and Technical Education sub-committee within the state Board of Education, having been appointed five years ago.

Sampson holds a degree in biochemistry and a minor in sports medicine from St. Lawrence University. She has utilized those skills in managing several corporate wellness programs throughout southern Maine, including the Fun O’Fit program, a multidimensional children’s fitness program piloted at Alfred Elementary School.

A mother of three grown children, Sampson is an advocate for homeschooling and an instructor of home-schooled classes. She is also the spokesperson and co-founder of “No Common Core Maine.”

Sampson said she is running to bring peoples’ voices back into politics and ensure local governments represent their constituents.

“Representative government is being eroded in favor of self-selecting, self-serving, nonprofit organizations who promote smooth-talking agendas at the burdensome costs of the taxpayers,” she said.

Sampson cited stagnant test scores and rising education costs as an example of failed reform policy not made in the public’s best interest.

“These reforms and ensuing policies are devoid of genuine public input and public voice. The voice of the people is being silenced and disregarded,” Sampson said. “I intend to stand for the people of my district, giving them the dignity and respect not only to be heard but to respond accordingly… It’s about serving our constituents, not gaining power over them.”

Sampson said education and fiscal responsibility are her top priorities. If elected, she wants to create “sensible policies that allow teachers to teach and students to learn.”

“We have the oldest state in the union, with more people living on fixed incomes than any other state,” she said. “Resources need to be directed efficiently to where the greatest needs with children are: academically, emotionally and physically.”

Sampson also said that, as someone who owns a farm, she is concerned about natural resources, although she noted that policies concerning those must be handled in a fiscally responsible manner.

“As with managing one’s personal household, government needs to work within the same restraints. We cannot spend what we do not have,” she said.

Carroll – who, if elected, will be the third owner of Alderwood Farm to serve in the Maine Legislature – said he has no agenda, and has not spent time lobbying for any specific cause.

However, he has concerned himself with issues pertaining to agriculture and forestry, jobs, property taxes and rising health care costs. He also said he wants to see quality teachers retained in Maine schools, and wants to help the elderly stay in their homes.

“I plan to work to support hard-working Maine families and businesses and serve the constituents of District 21,” he said. “I believe that my diverse background as a farmer, forester, teacher and landowner and strong work ethic will guide me to make decisions that will be good for the people of Maine and District 21.”

Sampson said she would be best to serve the district because of her commitment to quality education.

“No child should ever have their potential limited,” she said. “I can provide reasonable, sound solutions for moving our state forward for the benefit of every child.”

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.