PARSONSFIELD — The owner of a mountain biking tour business is looking to be the Democratic choice for the rural constituency of House District 21 in the June 12 primary.

Clifford Krolick, 68, of Parsonsfield, and Kelcy McNamara, of Alfred, are each vying for the chance to run against Republican incumbent Heidi Sampson in November. Justin Reinhardt of Limerick is also in the Nov. 6 race for the seat as a Green Independent.

District 21 includes Alfred, Newfield and parts of Limerick, Parsonsfield and Shapleigh.

Krolick said health care and Maine’s aging population and early childhood education are among the issues he’s most interested.

“It’s time for us to expand Medicare and move as rapidly as possible to a universal type of coverage,” said Krolick. “As a state we need to negotiate with Canada and drop U.S. firms that will not offer competitive rates for pharmaceuticals.”

As to how assist Maine’s aging population Krolick said: “With an equitable tax structure and bond issues we need to build an infrastructure for both long term nursing homes and in-home health care services that will be administered, managed, and day-to-day operations by local nurses and in-home health professionals,” he said. “This would be a cooperative business supported by tax dollars and bond issues but owned by all — (a) local cooperative group of nurses., etc.”

Krolick owns Back Country Excursions and has been a mountain biking instructor and ride leader for 26 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He said his volunteer gigs include working in soup kitchens and land conservation. He has a domestic partner and is the father of two adult children.

“(It is) time to make our state family friendly by supporting new families,” he said in an email.

Krolick believes an equitable tax structure and bonds should support the infrastructure and would advocate for  pre- and after- school programs to help working families.

“We need to put excellent mentors into these programs,” he said. “ We want to encourage developmental skills of self confidence, self respect, interpersonal communications skills, and inquisitiveness. A comprehensive program like this will eliminate bullying and, down the line, slow if not kill the opioid crisis.”

Krolick said the state should support a stipend program for new parents to help them understand how to encourage the developmental skills he mentioned.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg for ideas that I want to throw out,” he said.

His campaign literature notes his commitment to 100 percent clean renewable energy. A 2015 Downeast magazine features his passive solar home.

We asked why he believes he is the best person for the job:

“I’m not a politician and I’m passionate about many issues,” Krolick said. “I like to get things accomplished … .no spinning wheels here.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.