WELLS — State House District 7 incumbent Republican Robert Foley is seeking re-election this November, and Democrat Joachim Howard aims to unseat him.

House District 7 oversees parts of Wells.

Foley, 63, attended the University of Southern Maine, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and public policy. He resides in Wells, where he works as a managing partner and insurance agent for the Cole Harris Agency in Kennebunk.

Howard did not respond to Making It At Home’s request for comments.

Foley is finishing his first term in the state Legislature, where he was on the Insurance and Financial Services Committee.

“I felt my work experience helped me and the committee in dealing with the difficult issues that came before us, especially on health insurance,” he said.

A resident of Wells for 39 years, Foley has served on an array of boards and committees, including the Wells Board of Selectmen, the Comprehensive Plan Committee and Wells Rotary Club, to name a few.

“I haven’t just lived in the community; I’ve been an active member of it,” Foley said. “I believe my experience both at the town level and the state will serve me well in representing the citizens of House District 7 in Wells and of Maine.”

Foley said the district must work to make housing affordable to young people and senior citizens to diversify the community, adding that if younger residents aren’t able to afford the cost of housing, the area will see fewer young families and children.

He also cited the statewide opioid epidemic as a major issue.

“While we have not seen the headlines locally that other areas have seen, the problem is here, and we need to address it through greater education, treatment and strict law enforcement,” he said. “The Legislature needs to continue this discussion by working with state and local authorities and organizations to address this difficult problem.”

Foley said there is a need to bring back industrial arts training for professional trades such as plumbing, heating, electrical and construction in high schools and community colleges.

“There are a lot of skilled trades jobs available throughout the state, and especially in southern Maine,” Foley said. “They provide good salaries with benefits and opportunities to grow and own your own business.”

Foley said he believes the state is losing too many senior citizens and retirees to states without income taxes. If reelected, he said, his first priority would be to propose a bill that would eliminate the income tax for retired citizens 70 and older, in hopes it would convince seniors to remain residents of Maine.

“We should encourage them to stay in Maine where they have worked, lived and already paid their fair share of taxes over the years,” he said.