Sen. Jerome A. Emerson, R-Corinna, has announced that he is seeking re-election to the state Senate for District 9.

Emerson, a member of the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee and its Taxation Committee, is completing his sixth term in the state Senate. He previously served two terms in the House of Representatives. In earlier sessions, he has served on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee; the Transportation Committee, of which he was chairman; the Public Utilities Committee; the State and Local Government Committee; and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

In addition, he has served on several select committees during recent sessions. Among these have been the select committees on Wood Measurement; on Telecommunications in Maine; on the University of Maine at Orono’s Public Service Programs; on Maine’s Shoe Industry; on Milk Pricing; and the Feasibility of State Assistance to the Rail Industry.

Emerson also has served on the Governor’s Commission on Outdoor Recreation, the Speaker’s Select Committee to Study Property Taxation, the State Energy Resources Advisory Board, the Radioactive Waste Advisory Commission, and as chairman of the Weatherization Services Study Committee.

“Finances, or the possible lack thereof, will be the most important issue in the upcoming Legislature. One-shot, creative financing, not available again, enabled the state to avoid additional cuts in the budget or an increase in taxes. Without a strong economy, one or both of these options will have to be considered,” said Emerson. “In these difficult times, I feel obligated to see it through. A conservative voice is imperative.”

Emerson has been the Legislature’s representative to national organizations which foster interstate communication and cooperation between legislatures and other branches and agencies of government. He has served on the National Conference of State Legislatures’ committees on Government Operations; Agriculture, Policy and Rural Development; Transportation and Communications; and Energy. He also has represented Maine on the Council of State Governments, Eastern Regional Conference’s Committee on Energy and its Fiscal Affairs Committee.

“The experience and expertise which I have gained over the years should prove beneficial as we strive to `cut the fat’ from the state’s budget and yet continue to provide those services necessary for those of our citizens who need our assistance. When money is short, Maine’s families trim their budgets as necessary. Government at all levels — state, county and local — must do the same,” Emerson said.

A lifelong resident of Maine, Emerson is a retired farmer and businessman. He lives with his wife, Hazel, and their daughter, Jackie, on Old Newport Road in Corinna.

Senate District 9 includes Carmel, Corinna, Dexter, Dixmont, Etna, Hampden, Hermon, Newburgh, Newport, Plymouth and Stetson in Penobscot County. The Somerset County towns of Cambridge, Canaan, Cornville, Detroit, Harmony, Hartland, Palmyra, Ripley and St. Albans are also in Senate District 9.