Roberta (Robin) Mayer, selectman of Damariscotta, is running for House District 90 in the Republican primary on June 14. The district is far flung, and includes Damariscotta, part of Nobleboro, Newcastle, Monhegan, part of South Bristol, Bristol, Bremen, and Louds Island.

“I never intended to be a politician,” Mayer said, “but years ago, people asked me to be a selectman, and I found I enjoyed it, so I took papers out to run for state office.”

Her opponent in the primary, Anna Morkeski, ran against Democrat Michael Devin in the last election. Despite it being a strong Republican year, Morkeski lost to Devin by a nearly 2-1 margin. “So we did our homework,” Mayer said, “and found that a lot of people are saying it is time for a change.”

Mayer also runs a business, Mayer and Associates, that does business with state governments, helping states with traffic safety issues. Although she does not do business with the state of Maine, Mayer said that she will not accept any business while serving in the Legislature, if elected.

She’d also resign as selectman, although that’s not required for people serving in the Legislature. “If you do it right, it’s a full-time job,” she said.

Mayer said she would focus on reducing the tax burden, and thought the Taxation Committee might be a good fit, although she’d also be interested in the Education Committee. “We ought to be able to do better than what we’re doing now,” she said.

She said that while she would like the state to be in a position to provide more support for higher education and health care, her first priority would have to be improving Maine’s credit rating and keeping the state out of debt. “We can’t go into debt just to give people everything they want,” she said. “Our credit rating fell from AAA to AA during the last six years, mostly because politicians dug in their heels.”

She said she’s had a lot of people requesting lawn signs and writing letters of support. “I’m humbled by what people have to say,” she said. Her husband Dick serves as campaign manager and treasurer. Her children now live out of state. “I’d like Maine to be a state where kids can stay and be able to support themselves,” she said.

Several attempts were made to reach Morkeski for an interview, all unsuccessful.