TOPSHAM

Republican State Rep. Kerri Prescott of Topsham confirmed Monday that she will not seek a fourth term representing District 60 in the Maine House of Representatives.

Prescott, who is completing her third term in the Legislature, currently co-chairs the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee. She said Monday that while she’s loved serving as a representative every step of the way, it’s time to step down.

After six years in the Legislature, a position that doesn’t pay a lot but that demands long hours when lawmakers are in session, Prescott said it became difficult to make ends meet the rest of the year, something that she believes is a deterrent to many potential candidates.

Prescott recently began working as the marketing and communications director for Priority Group in Topsham. She said she loves her new job and feels lucky to be a part of the company.

Prescott also got married on New Year’s Eve and noted that her husband spends five days a week in Washington, D.C.

Her daughter, who was 11 when Prescott first won the right to represent District 60 six years ago, will soon be 17, with one more year left in high school.

“I want to be there for her and I know going into six months in (legislative) session, I’ll never get that time again,” Prescott said.

“I enjoyed every minute of it,” Prescott said of her time in the Legislature. “I will miss it very much. But I’m looking forward to new and different things along the way.”

Prescott said she wouldn’t rule out the possibility of running for political office in the future, saying “Never say never.”

Prescott said she is aware of a Topsham woman who plans to run for House District 60 as a Republican.

“I wish whoever ends up in my seat, the best of luck,” Prescott said.

Local candidates

Legislative candidates representing one of the three political parties in Maine — Democratic, Green Independent and Republican — must file nomination petitions with the Secretary of State’s Office by 5 p.m. March 15 to gain a spot on the ballot. If more than one candidate from the same party files for the same position, a primary for the November general election ballot slot representing that party will be held on June 12.

As of Monday, local candidates who had indicated to the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices that they intend to seek election include:

— Ralph Dean, a Republican from Freeport, and Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, a two-term incumbent Democrat from Brunswick, both have indicated that they will be candidates in Senate District 10, which represents Brunswick, Freeport, Harpswell and Pownal.

— Garrett Paul Mason, a Republican from Lisbon, has filed to run for a second term representing Senate District 17 ( Greene, Leeds, Lisbon, Livermore, Livermore Falls, Mechanic Falls, Minot, Sabattus, Turner and Wales).

— Jeffrey Pierce, a Republican from Dresden, has filed as a candidate in Senate District 19, which represents Sagadahoc County and Dresden. Sen. Seth Goodall, D-Richmond, has represented the district for two terms.

— Rep. Bruce MacDonald, DBoothbay, has filed to seek a fourth term in House District 61 (Arrowsic, Georgetown, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Westport Island).

— Bath City Councilor Kyle Rogers has filed to run as a Republican in House District 62, which represents part of Bath. First- term Democrat Mike Clarke now represents the district.

— Rep. Charles Priest, DBrunswick, has filed to run for a fourth term representing House District 63 (part of Brunswick).

— Rep. Kimberly Olsen, RPhippsburg, filed to seek a second term representing House District 64 (Harpswell, Phippsburg and part of West Bath).

— David A. Frans, a Green Independent Party candidate from Brunswick, has filed as a challenger to Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx, D-Brunswick, who is running for a third term as the representative from House District 66 (part of Brunswick).

— Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, filed to run for a fourth term in House District 67 (Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Perkins Township and Richmond).

— Rep. Dale Crafts., R-Lisbon, is running for a third term in House District 104 (part of Lisbon).

— Nichole Dawn Stevens, a Democrat from New Gloucester, has filed to challenge Rep. Eleanor Espling, R-New Gloucester, who seeks a second term representing House District 105 (Durham, New Gloucester and part of Lisbon).

— Sara Gideon, a Freeport town councilor, and Patrick Norton have filed to run as Democrats in House District 106 ( Freeport and part of Pownal). Maine’s term limits law precludes Rep. David Webster, who has represented District 106 for four terms, from seeking re-election.

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