BELFAST – Jayne Crosby Giles has announced her intention to run for House District 43 under the Republican banner. The seat representing Belfast, Belmont and Northport is currently held by Rep. Walter Ash, D-Belfast.

This will be Crosby Giles’ second attempt at the seat. The 2004 election initially showed her topping Ash by 13 votes but that decision was reversed by a recount.

Crosby Giles said she intended to focus her campaign on the district’s residents.

“As a legislator, I will listen to my constituents and be their voice in Augusta. The job is called ‘representative,’ and that’s what I pledge to do,” she said. “Maine is rich in natural resources, home to hardworking families, and a great place to live. However, our state has a high tax burden, an unfriendly business climate, and many of our young people leave. As a state representative, I want to help solve these problems and to provide a better future for Maine people.”

Crosby Giles is a community banker employed at Camden National Bank in Belfast. She plans to use her experience in finance, leadership and economic development to become an effective legislator. Crosby Giles also noted that she would like to see more women in government as the current makeup of the legislature is 23 percent female.

Crosby Giles is active in local government. She is a member of the Belfast Substance Abuse Task Force, Belfast Business Development Committee and Belfast Retail Review Commission. She is also a volunteer with Abnaki Girl Scout Council, Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce, Belfast Rotary Club, United Mid-Coast Charities, Waldo County General Hospital, Waldo County Preschool & Family Services and the Waldo County YMCA.

She is a recipient of the U.S. Small Business Administration Maine Women in Business Advocate Award, served on the Maine SBA Advisory Board and is a past-Board Chair of the Finance Authority of Maine.

Married to small business owner Mike Giles, the couple have three adult children and two granddaughters. Crosby Giles is a graduate of Belfast Area High School and Wellesley College. She is running as a Maine Clean Elections candidate.