Maggie McNeil, left, and Kathie Purdy are seeking nomination to a House District 15 seat in the Maine Legislature.

Maggie O’Neil, left, and Kathie Purdy are seeking nomination to a House District 15 seat in the Maine Legislature.

A small-business owner and a former state park ranger are each hoping to represent Saco in the Maine Legislature.

Political newcomers Kathie Purdy and Margaret “Maggie” O’Neil are facing off in the Democratic primary on June 14 to run for the House District 15 seat in November against Republican Mark Bedell.

The seat is being vacated by Rep. Justin Chenette, who has represented the city for two terms but is now running for state Senate.

Purdy, a retired grocery store assistant manager who now runs a family business with her husband, has volunteered for the campaigns of Chenette and outgoing state Sen. Linda Valentino. She also has served as a delegate to the Maine State Democratic Convention.

O’Neil, a recent college graduate who grew up in Saco, comes from a politically active family. Her father, Chris, is a former state representative. O’Neil worked as a state park ranger after graduating from Dalhousie University, but gave up that position to run for office.

Purdy, who says she comes from a “politically aware” family, said she is excited by the opportunity to run for office. While working for Shaw’s for 40 years, she often worked 55 hours a week and didn’t have time to dedicate to constituents, she said.

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“Listening to the current climate – the partisan politics and divisiveness – is tearing at me. I can’t stand by and watch it anymore,” she said. “Whether you are a strong Democrat or strong Republican, you have to be aware it’s not about your agenda or your party’s agenda. You have to remember you’re representing the people.”

As a legislator, Purdy, 60, said she would focus on attracting businesses and manufacturing to stimulate economic growth. She would also focus on fully funding education, increasing education of trade skills and addressing shortages of affordable housing and caregivers for seniors. She supports increasing the minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2002.

“I see people who are working 40 hours and having another part-time job and still can’t afford to make ends meet,” she said.

O’Neil, 26, said she decided to run for office to be “a voice for my district.” She has spent the past 10 weeks meeting voters in the district and learning about the issues that affect their lives, she said.

“The people in our district need an advocate in Augusta. I’ll bring a fresh perspective to state policies,” she said. “I’m a careful listener and fair-minded collaborator who can bring our district’s concerns to Augusta.” As a legislator, O’Neil said she would like to be an advocate for improving the state’s economy and job market, protecting the environment and ensuring that Mainers have adequate health care.

“My greatest concern is our economy and where we’re going in the next 10 or 20 years,” she said. “We need to make it a priority to attract skilled young people. They are crucial to the future of Maine and help provide the answer for what’s to come.”

Polls in Saco will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 14 at the Saco Community Center on Franklin Street.


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