ALFRED — If parents have access to health care, children perform better in school, said Kelcy McNamara, a candidate for Maine House District 21 in the June 12 Democratic primary.

McNamara, 38,  and Clifford Krolick, 68, of Parsonsfield, are vying for the chance to run against Republican incumbent Heidi Sampson in November. Green Independent Justin Reinhardt of Limerick is also in the Nov. 6 race.

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

McNamara was raised in Alfred, where she lives with her husband, Read, and their two children. She owns Roots Trauma Sensitive Yoga LLC, where she provides yoga as an adjunctive clinical treatment for post traumatic stress disorder, and is pursuing a certificate in traumatic stress studies at the Boston Trauma Center.

Health care and education top McNamara’s list of issues she cares about.

“I believe that access to affordable health care intertwines with many of the most serious challenges facing our state today,” said McNamara in an email. “Children whose parents have access to health care perform better in school. Businesses are more productive and profitable when their employees are healthy. Seniors that are able to age in place live more meaningful lives and are more affordable to care for. The opioid crisis can only be effectively dealt with by developing effective treatment and rehabilitation programs in our health care system.”

“I believe essential health care services are a basic human right in this country and I will fight to fully fund the voter approved Medicaid expansion,” McNamara continued.

She said investments in education are also essential.

“Maine voters have repeatedly mandated that the state fund 55 percent of the state’s educational needs, and last election voters overwhelmingly approved a long term, stable funding source that would finally meet this commitment,” McNamara said. “Businesses across the state have also been very vocal about the need for more educated workers coming out of our community and state colleges. It is clear to me that the voters and businesses in Maine recognize the value of education and the need to invest in our state’s future.”

This is McNamara’s first venture into the political arena.

She volunteers at the Corner Cupboard non-food pantry in Sanford and is involved with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Scholarship Committee at the Justice Resource Institute Yoga Program in Boston. She has previously volunteered at correctional institutions and in local schools.

McNamara said if elected, she’ll listen to her constituents.

“Over the years, I have had the privilege to work with and serve people from all walks of life; from successful business owners to people struggling with homelessness, at risk teens; from the Amish community to right-wing militia members; from students to retirees,” McNamara said. “While their backgrounds and political beliefs may all be different, one thing remains the same; they all want to be heard. And everyone deserves to be heard and respected. This campaign is about participation versus inaction, inclusion versus exclusion, serving the people of this district versus serving personal ambition. I want to bring back the state seat to the people who rightfully own it and l believe I have the communication skills, energy and enthusiasm to do just that.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].