AUGUSTA – Republican state Rep. Darlene Curley of Scarborough announced her candidacy Thursday for southern Maine’s congressional seat, saying her platform will focus on issues such as balancing the budget, strong schools, and a move toward energy independence.

In her formal State House announcement in which she was surrounded by a large contingent of GOP lawmakers, Curley called for “new ideas, new energy and the courage to put people before partisan politics” in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The 50-year-old second-term legislator will try to unseat 1st District U.S. Rep. Tom Allen of Portland, a Democrat who was first elected to Congress in 1996 and handily defeated his GOP challenger, Charles Summers, in the 2004 election.

Allen welcomes opponents in the race and looks forward to a spirited discussion of the issues in the campaign ahead, but for now is focused on his congressional work, said spokesman Mark Sullivan.

A registered nurse and health care consultant, Curley has dealt with health policy issues in the State House and served on the Health Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures. She earlier considered entering this year’s gubernatorial race.

Curley said she is running on a five-point platform that calls for a strong economy that creates jobs, support for American troops, access to affordable health care, protecting Medicaid and Medicare, top-notch schools, and moving toward greater energy independence.

“Maine families are concerned about the future of our state and our economy. Maine expects and deserves to have a strong independent voice in Congress working alongside Sens. [Olympia] Snowe and [Susan] Collins,” Curley said in her announcement.

Asked about her position on abortion rights, Curley said she rejects labels such as “pro life” and “pro choice,” adding that as a nurse, she believes that “life is the most important thing for all of us to protect.”

“But I do support abortion rights,” she said.

Before serving in the Legislature, Curley founded a home health care and medical staffing business serving Franklin and Oxford counties. She was on the faculty of the University of Southern Maine. She is married and has three children.