Rep. Poppy Arford, D-Brunswick, will face Republican challenger Ravi Jackson in a race to represent western Brunswick voters in the newly drawn Maine House District 101.

The district includes most of the former District 49, which Arford has represented since she narrowly defeated Green Party candidate Fred Horch in 2020.

Arford, a longtime Brunswick resident who served on the Town Council before winning her House seat, hopes to make health care more affordable and confront a housing shortage that has spread across the region.

Jackson is making his first run for state office after spending a decade working in Maine government agencies including the state judicial branch, the Governor’s Office of Policy and Management and the Department of Education, according to the candidate’s LinkedIn profile. Since leaving the public sector in 2016, Jackson has worked in a variety of sales and consulting roles.

Jackson did not respond to The Times Record’s candidate questionnaire.

Q&A with Poppy Arford

Tell the voters about yourself.

I grew up in Auburn, graduated from the University of Southern Maine, then moved to Brunswick where I have lived for over 35 years. Together with my husband Loren, we have raised our family and benefited from the excellent schools and community life Brunswick offers. My work resume includes Outward Bound instructor, licensed substance abuse counselor, and founder-director of Share Center resource program for teachers, followed by a decade of affordable healthcare advocacy. My local government experience includes two terms on the Brunswick Town Council and current membership on the Recycling and Sustainability Committee.

Why are you running for this seat?

My commitment to serving our Brunswick community and advocacy for affordable healthcare were the drivers behind my run for a first term. In running for a second term, I am committed to working on other critical issues as well including the housing crisis, inflation, public safety on our roadways, property tax relief, clean energy and protecting our environment, along with education and job training programs that meet the needs of a diverse student body and workforce.

What are the biggest challenges or concerns facing your district in the coming term?

The lack of housing is a primary challenge and barrier to filling the jobs that remain open in our schools, businesses, healthcare and service industry sectors. I believe a community is strongest when its most vulnerable members are valued, and see adequate, safe housing for our neighbors with disabilities or experiencing homelessness as a must-provide challenge. I am also very concerned about the impact of inflation and the rising cost of everyday essentials including food, transportation, heat and utilities. I will continue working to connect people with the State and local resources needed to address these challenges.

What are your top priorities if elected?

Developing the housing needed to offer affordable homes to all who work and live in Brunswick is a top priority. My work to achieve affordable healthcare will include a publicly administered health plan for Maine people. Other priorities are establishing internship and apprenticeship programs to grow our workforce and local economy along with access to childcare for working families. As a legislator, it is very important that I continue to learn what is important to the people I represent.  Please keep writing, calling, and talking with me. Thank you.