Small businessman and marine resources expert Jeffrey Pierce of Dresden is running for the Maine House of Representatives. Pierce seeks to represent District 53, which includes Dresden, Arrowsic, Georgetown, Phippsburg, Woolwich, and part of Richmond in Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties.

"I believe my commitment to Maine's environment and my experience in small business would serve the Midcoast well, and I would be honored to represent my friends and neighbors at the State House," said Pierce. "We don't need career partisans from either end of the political spectrum, we need local people focused on local issues to speak up in state government. If elected, I would work across the aisle to get things done because I seek to represent everybody — Republicans, Democrats and Independents."

A native Mainer, Pierce has been a construction and renovation general contractor for 23 years. He founded the Alewife Harvesters of Maine in 2007, and has since worked through federal and state regulations to keep Maine's historic Alewife fishery alive and well while saving jobs in the fishing industry. Pierce is also the executive director of the Maine Elver Fisherman Association and the chairman of the Dresden planning board.

"Maintaining a healthy environment and managing our natural resources is good business," said Pierce, whose love for animals extends to his two dogs and a cat. Pierce is also especially concerned with Maine's energy costs and education system as they relate to strengthening the state's economy.

"We've got to make sure that our kids have choices and opportunities, and we have to stop assuming that every high school graduate needs to go to a traditional, four-year college," said Pierce. "I would work toward an education system that gives kids a chance to either prepare for college or learn a skilled trade. We also have to expand our energy options here in Maine because fuel oil heat is too costly for homeowners and the electric rates are too high for businesses. That means letting both natural gas and renewable energy flourish in our state."

"Finally, as a small businessman, I understand what excessive regulations and red tape have done to businesses in Maine, and I understand what kind of reforms are needed in order to let Maine entrepreneurs thrive and attract new jobs and investment to our state," he said. 

Pierce has been married to his wife, Ann, for 25 years. They have two sons, Ben and Zach. Ben is currently serving in Afghanistan with the Maine National Guard's 133rd Engineering Battalion.