BETHEL — Democratic candidate Callie Pecunies of Albany Township launched her campaign Monday night in Bethel for the new House District 117 seat.

Fran Head, a Republican from Bethel, said in an Facebook message Tuesday that she is also running for the seat.

Rep. Jarrod Crockett, R-Bethel, who represents the current House District 91, said Tuesday night that he is not running for re-election.

District 117, which becomes effective after the November elections, includes the towns, townships, plantations and unorganized territories of Coplin, Dallas, Eustis, North Franklin, Rangeley, Rangeley Township and West Central Franklin in Franklin County; and Andover, Bethel, Byron, Gilead, Greenwood, Hanover, Lincoln, Lovell (part), Magalloway, Newry, North Oxford, South Oxford, Stoneham, Stow and Upton in Oxford County.

Pecunies, a real estate broker with Sunday River Real Estate in Newry, said she decided to seek the position because she wants to be more involved in her community and her district’s future, and to be a voice for others in Augusta.

Additionally, she cited a health scare she encountered with her now 5-year-old son.

“No one should ever be forced to make a decision about their child’s health care for fear of the expense,” Pecunies said.

She and her husband, who own and operate Mahoosuc Productions, a full-service video production company, have two sons.