LEWISTON — Rep. Kristen Cloutier has announced she is seeking election to the seat for newly redrawn District 94 of the Maine House of Representatives. She represents District 60.

Rep. Kristen Cloutier

“It’s been an honor to serve alongside Rep. Kristen Cloutier, to see her go to bat for the residents of Lewiston,” said Speaker Ryan Fecteau, who appointed Cloutier as the House chairwoman of the Commission to Develop a Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program this session. “Kristen is a respected leader in Augusta who brings a wealth of experience to issues such as economic development, education, and health care.”

As a member of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, Cloutier worked with her colleagues to provide disaster relief payments to over 500,000 Mainers; to provide free breakfast and lunch for all public school students; and to provide property tax relief to Maine people.

Cloutier served as a caregiver to her mother who died of Alzheimer’s in 2018, and sponsored legislation to create the Family Caregiver Grant Pilot Program. She secured funding for the program through the American Rescue Plan Act. “As anyone who has cared for a loved one knows, this can be joyous yet incredibly difficult work. I am so pleased we are able to support the many Mainers personally caring for their loved ones,” she said.

She is known for her commitment to collaboration in the interest of solving problems, and is excited to continue this work on behalf of and with her constituents. “The pandemic has shed light on, and in many instances exacerbated, many of the issues affecting Lewiston’s families. We must work together in addressing the disparities that exist within our community and across the state.”

Cloutier was honored in 2019 with the YWCA of Central Maine’s Lee Young Leadership Award and was named a NewDEAL Leader in 2021. An active member of the Lewiston-Auburn community, she serves on the Community Concepts board of directors, the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College Community Advisory Board, and the Lewiston-Auburn Railroad board of directors.

She previously served as mayor and president of the Lewiston City Council.