ORONO – Democrat Elizabeth M. Schneider has announced her candidacy for re-election in state Senate District 30.

Schneider, who was twice elected to the Orono Town Council and has served on other panels, is Senate chairman of the Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee and a member of the Business, Research and Economic Development Committee.

“The work I have done for our district over the last four years has been very rewarding,” she said in a statement. “The most satisfying work is when I am able to see the fruits of it, having directly advocated for constituents and seeing a successful outcome.”

Schneider said she has “fought for and secured millions of dollars to support higher education both within the Community College System and at the University of Maine in the state budget.” She also said she has been “actively engaged in working on a public-private partnership in an effort to increase aspirations in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for middle school and high school students.”

She said that “through Dirigo Health we have provided access to affordable health care for thousands of Maine people and for small businesses. Much more needs to be done in the area of making health care and medications affordable for all people and businesses.”

On the environment, Schneider said, “I have supported the Land for Maine’s Future program to ensure Maine people have access to the land for the varied uses which the paper companies have allowed.”

District 30 comprises Alton, Argyle, Bradford, Edinburg, Enfield, Greenbush, Howland, Hudson, Kingman, LaGrange, Lee, Lincoln, Mattawamkeag, Maxfield, Old Town, Orono, Passadumkeag, Penobscot Indian Island, Springfield, Twombly, Veazie, Webster and Winn.