AUBURN — Gina Melaragno, serving her first term in the House of Representatives, has announced her intention to seek re-election in District 62, part of Auburn.

“I’m excited for the challenge and opportunity of serving the people of Auburn again next term,” she said in a written statement. “I am running because I want to see working- and middle-class people get a fair shot in this economy. We need strong leadership in Augusta and if re-elected I’ll continue to prove myself as a forceful advocate for our city and its people.”

Melaragno has experience working in sales, health care and advocacy.  

She serves on the Insurance and Financial Services Committee, where she is known to stand up to corporate lobbyists from the insurance, health care and finance industries.  

Melaragno has championed the minimum wage issue, submitting a bill that would gradually raise the minimum wage to $12 over five years, and increase the minimum wage for tipped workers, as well.

“Though I was sorry to see my bill not make it through the legislative process, I am thrilled to know that voters themselves will have a chance to decide on this issue in November at the ballot box. I helped to collect hundreds of signatures to ensure that they could do so when the legislature didn’t act,” she said in a statement.

Melaragno has also worked to get “big money” out of politics, label GMOs, expand MaineCare and make health insurance more affordable.  

She is a graduate of Edward Little High School and the University of Southern Maine in liberal arts.