DOVER-FOXCROFT – Susan Mackey Andrews, a longtime local resident, has announced her candidacy for the State Senate District 27 seat.

A small-business owner, Andrews has more than 15 years experience working with state governments around the country in the field of early childhood and disability services. It is an experience that she says has given her a lot of insight and a proven track record of working at the state level. She also served for more than eight years as the executive director of Maine Child Development Services, where she worked across multiple state departments to develop a system of services for families and children with developmental disabilities.

“My campaign really is about building the future for rural Maine,” Andrews said. “I want to work in Augusta to ensure that the needs of our rural communities are met, so that we can build vibrant communities that are great places to live – and great places to work. I want to make sure that our communities thrive in the future, not just survive.”

As an appointed member of the local School Reorganization Committee for RSU 18, Andrews said one of her top concerns is protecting the quality of education and the important role local schools play in rural communities.

“Our schools are a centerpiece of our communities,” Andrews said. “High quality schools invite young families to move here and to stay here. Education and economic development are linked together in creating a viable community.”

Andrews is a member of the Dover-Foxcroft Charter Commission, a co-chair of the Womancare Capital Campaign, secretary of the Community Conveyed Alternatives, president of the board of directors for Pine Tree Hospice and a co-founder of Community First in Dover-Foxcroft.

She lives in town with her husband of 23 years, Fred Andrews.