PHIPPSBURG

Former state Sen. Paula Benoit is preparing a run to regain her former seat.

Benoit wants to replace Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall, a Democrat who accepted a presidential appointment to serve as New England regional administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“I have been touched and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and encouragement by many from Sagadahoc County,” Benoit said. “I did not intend to seek public office again, but thought I must consider running after many of my former constituents asked me to.”

Benoit, of Phippsburg, served Senate District 19 during the 123rd Legislature, and earned recognition for her work championing the rights of the adopted to gain access to their birth records.

Benoit — who was adopted — also owned and operated Magnolia Gift Store, formerly located in Bath’s downtown, and was a key player in overturning Democratic tax reform passed into law in 2008.

“It was an honor to represent Sagadahoc County as a state senator. My experience in the Legislature and as a small-business owner will allow me to hit the ground running to fight for Maine’s small businesses and families. It is imperative that our state government lives within its means and allow Mainers to keep more of their hardearned money.

“They have to make tough choices with their own budgets. Our elected officials must do the same.”

After leaving the Legislature, Benoit worked briefly as Blaine House residence director and executive assistant to first lady Ann LePage. She then authored “Baxter in the Blaine House,” a children’s book about Baxter, the LePages’ dog, with some proceeds donated to the Friends of the Blaine House.

On the Democratic side, Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, who serves as House majority leader, has said he is also considering a run for the seat.

Berry is serving his fourth consecutive term representing House District 67, and is prevented by term limits from running for re-election. The soon-to-be-open Senate seat would afford him an opportunity to extend his legislative service and run in the 2014 general election as an incumbent. Berry has not made an announcement.

Goodall won the seat in November 2012 with 64 percent of the vote against Jeffrey K. Pierce, a Dresden Republican.

Other Republicans mentioned for the Senate District 19 seat include Bruce Poliquin, the former state treasurer from Georgetown who lost primary bids for governor and U.S. Senate in 2010 and 2012.

State Rep. Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, who serves as Senate minority leader, said his party would welcome Benoit back to the chamber.

“We’re real pleased,” Thibodeau said. “She’s experienced and served honorably for her district while she was there. We look forward to her return.”

Thibodeau said Benoit was the “only one I know of” to be interested in the seat.

A date for the special election will be announced after Goodall’s resignation.

Deputy Secretary of State Julie Flynn said that upon Goodall’s resignation, the governor will issue a proclamation setting the date.

At age 52, Benoit, who was adopted as an infant, set out to find out the identity of her natural parents. She went to court to obtain her birth certificate and was denied.

So she developed legislation to unseal records for all adoptees in Maine. The Legislature passed the bill in 2008, making Maine the eighth state to give adoptees full access to their birth records, including their parents’ names.

Senate District 19 includes Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Georgetown, Perkins Township, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath and Woolwich in Sagadahoc County; and Dresden in Lincoln County.

bmentzinger@timesrecord.com