Democrat Cheryl Golek plans to lean on her experience as an activist during her first term in Augusta, the Harpswell native said after winning a race for the new House District 99 last week, according to unofficial election results.
“There’s just not a lot of words that can express my gratitude,” Golek said of the Harpswell and East Brunswick voters who elected her. “I’m deeply moved.”
Golek, a Democrat, earned more votes than Republican Stephen “Bubba” Davis in both towns, collecting 57% of the total vote.
Term-limited Democrat Joyce “Jay” McCreight previously represented Harpswell, a smaller sliver of Brunswick and West Bath in the State House, before redistricting pushed the latter town to the new District 49.
“She set the bar high,” Golek said of McCreight. “I don’t know that I’ll reach it, but I’m sure going to try.”
During her campaign, the small business owner singled out issues like the lack of affordable housing and an aging work force as problems she hopes to address. Though she’s a newcomer to the House, she hopes her experience on the Equal Justice Partners Circle and the Legislature’s Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions will help her hit the ground running.
“It’s going to be a learning curve, no question about it,” she said. “But the truth is, I’ve been advocating in the House for the people in Maine and the issues that face our state for many years. I just can’t wait to get in there and get working for the people.”
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