BANGOR – Bangor City Councilor Gerry Palmer, a Democrat, has announced his candidacy for the District 15 seat in the Maine House of Representatives.

Palmer, a Bangor native, has served on the council since 1998. He was Penobscot County treasurer from 2000 to 2002 and served as chairman of the Bangor Democratic City Committee for several two-year terms. He is the managing partner of Palmer Lee & Grace Career Consultants, which has provided career development and outplacement services since 1984. Recently, he was executive director of Northeast CONTACT, a consumer advocacy organization.

While on the City Council, Palmer has participated in the development and approval of 10 municipal budgets and has chaired most council committees. He now serves on a committee that is planning for the construction of a new Bangor Arena to replace the aging Bangor Auditorium.

Palmer said he fought for the location of the new Bangor police station in the downtown near the Bangor Waterfront and helped, along with others, bring the National Folk Festival to Bangor in 2002.

“Maine needs a representative with a proven record and proven results,” he said. “My hands-on experience on a wide range of issues as an elected city councilor and county treasurer convince me that I have the tools necessary for positive change in Augusta. Quality education, creation of well-paying jobs, and environmentally sound economic development are all important issues I plan to tackle in the Maine Legislature.”

Palmer and his wife, Susan Hawkes Palmer, have seven children and two grandchildren. He may be reached at 944-8000 or Bangorgp@yahoo.com.