PITTSFIELD — Tracy Goodridge, a Pittsfield Democrat, formally announced her candidacy for election to the Maine House of Representatives from District 101, which comprises Canaan, Cornville, Hartland and Pittsfield.

Goodridge made her announcement before a gathering of more than 40 supporters at the Maine Central Institute Powell Memorial Library. Special guests included U.S. Senate candidate state Rep. Neil Rolde, D-York, Sen. Zachary Matthews, D-Winslow, Jamie Kilbreth, candidate for state attorney general, Sen. Michael D. Pearson, D-Enfield, and Spencer Havey, candidate for Somerset County sheriff.

Goodridge was introduced by Beth Hathaway, a teacher at Pittsfield’s Warsaw Middle School, Senate President Charles P. Pray and Rep. Patrick K. McGowan.

Goodridge, in her remarks, emphasized the need for citizen involvement in the political process.

“It keeps government honest, but it also prevents government from controlling the lives of its citizens,” she said.

She cited several challenges that Maine will face in the coming decade, including affordable health care and housing, property tax reform, educating tomorrow’s leaders, solid waste management and preserving our natural resources.

Goodridge is a Pittsfield native and 1984 graduate of Maine Central Institute. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Bates College in Lewiston. A dean’s list student, she was active in the Bates Democrats, the Legal Society, Campus Association and the Bates College Jazz Band. She was a member of the Representative Assembly, elected as one of two to represent a class of 450.

Since graduation, Goodridge has been employed by the Maine Senate, first as a staff assistant in the office of Senate President Charles P. Pray and most recently as a Senate reporter.