Incumbent Democrat Rebecca Millett hopes to retain a seat in the Maine House of Representatives as she goes up against Annie Christy, a Republican, for House District 123 which includes part of Cape Elizabeth.

Rebecca Millett, 60, is married with two children, and resides in Cape Elizabeth. She has an  MBA from the University of Chicago, and BA and BS degrees from American Universityin Washington, D.C.

She is serving her first term in the Maine House of Representatives and serve in the Maine Senate from 2012 through 2020. She was a member of the Cape Elizabeth School Board from 2004 to 2010.

In an email, Millett said “a top priority is addressing the climate crisis and its effects on our state. We must invest in renewable clean energy using all available federal funding and state resources to move swiftly and efficiently. Reducing our state’s dependence on fossil fuels has the added benefit of helping to buffer spikes in gas and oil prices. Housing remains a top priority. We must build upon the significant investments made in the 130th session, including a $20 million initiative I introduced. I will continue to advocate for robust state funding in new affordable housing projects. Corporations are posting record profits this year which highlights the need for an economy that works for everyone not just profit-driven corporations. Federal action on anti-trust issues is anemic, so states can and must focus on enforcing laws against coordination of markets and profiteering during “abnormal market disruption” to mitigate inflation and help keep prices stable and reasonable. Finally, we must continue to invest in multi-pronged approaches to workforce shortages impacting our state across industries and services, including affordable housing, lower cost quality healthcare, and livable wages.”

Millett said she should be re-elected to the State House because, “my Peace Corps assignment in Ukraine confirmed that I find meaning and purpose in improving peoples’ lives through service. Since then, I have worked passionately to create opportunities for all Mainers and tackle stubborn challenges like accessible healthcare, educational excellence in all schools, workforce shortages and affordable housing. Every day I strive to improve the lives of our citizens and have been recognized for that work by organizations such Maine Public Health Association, Maine Association for the Education of Young Children, Maine Gun Safety Coalition, Maine Education Association, Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Maine Autism Society. I am a proven and respected leader who gets things done for our community and our state.”Anne Christy did not return a questionnaire prior to press time.

Christy, 60, from Cape Elizabeth, is widowed and has four stepchildren. She has a BA and MS from Mount St. Mary’s University in Psychology with a focus on children and family issues. In addition, and also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, France.

If elected, Christy said about her goals in an email, “with many residents struggling with high prices and inflation, my top priorities would include helping seniors on fixed incomes and families keep their homes; support affordable housing, making home ownership more affordable; securing a helpful property tax relief program; and addressing mental health and drug issues.

“I have proven experience advocating for legislation and policies to improve the health and safety of children, families, and communities,” she said. “And possess years of knowledge advocating for child abuse prevention, and for victims of assault and domestic violence. I’ve also held various management positions working with legislators and local and statewide governmental agencies.”

Christy noted, “I’ve also served on multiple councils and worked closely with the District Attorney’s Family Violence Division, the Council on Child Abuse, the Department of Justice, Missing and Exploited Children, the Attorney General’s Office and the Governor’s Office.”

In addition, she said, “I’m proud of advocating for new policies that resulted in safety caps on prescription bottles, speed bumps in residential areas to prevent harm to children, the banning of cell phones and texting while driving, and securing mandated health insurance for high school athletes.”

Christy about why she should be elected, “I’m not a professional politician but a concerned citizen who has a proven record of attacking challenges and advocating for policies that have improved the lives of children, families, and communities. I’m also a centrist who has collaborated and worked across all party lines to achieve tangible results.”

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