Let's have a conversation. I'll tell you who I am and why I want to represent District 94 (Camden, Rockport and Islesboro) in Augusta and you can tell me what is most important to you in your daily life so I can take that input with me to Augusta. So if you see me on the street, stop me and give me your 2 cents!

I'm Owen Casas and, other than my time in the Service, I've lived in Midcoast Maine my entire life. I was raised in Washington and came to Rockport at least once a week growing up for church. In the early years of high school I washed dishes at Bay View Lobster in Camden, and later spent my school summers tending to stone masons until I joined the United States Marine Corps at 18. I served honorably in the Marines for 4.5 years with a tour in Fallujah, Iraq.

Choosing not to reenlist so I could finally "grow a beard," I separated as a sergeant and returned home to work in masonry and offshore fishing until enrolling in college using the GI Bill. I graduated from University of Maine, Augusta with honors and a bachelor’s of science in applied science, dividing my studies between renewable energy, business, American government, and global affairs. I am currently enrolled in a master’s degree program at Case Western Reserve University.

With encouragement from friends and my dear wife, Marci, I decided to run for the Maine House of Representatives in 2014 as an Independent against incumbent Rep Joan Welsh.

Although I did not win we garnered over 32 percent of the vote, as an unknown Independent. That solidified my commitment to run again to continue the meaningful dialogue that resonated with so many of my neighbors. I'm also told that folks enjoyed our homemade wooden signs.

In 2015, I was elected to the Rockport Select Board for a three-year term, a job that I truly enjoy, in spite of the many missed family meals due to an abundance of meetings.

If I am fortunate enough to be elected to the State House, I fully intend to continue my service on the Select Board and will balance that until my term on the Board is complete.

I am currently the liaison to the Camden-Rockport Pathways Committee (formally a member), and Rockport's Parks Committee and Recreation Committee.

Some standard political housekeeping here: I'm very passionate about veterans issues, renewable energy and energy efficiency policy, education, and diversified sustainable economic growth. I live in Rockport with my wonderfully smart and beautiful wife, Marci Annis Casas, and our three wicked cute kids.

I'll sign off here by saying I've always been an Independent because I don't believe any political party has a monopoly on good ideas. The job of an elected official is to work for the people by addressing their issues and crafting the best solutions. Great ideas come from all points on the political spectrum and all walks of life. We shouldn't compromise on our values but we should put more value on compromise where we can.

I am excited to continue this conversation on the streets and in your homes in the coming months.

I can be reached at owencasas@gmail.com or 207-333-0067.

If you wish to contribute to your Clean Elections candidate go to the link below and follow the prompts. It is a very simple process with a big impact for candidates.

https://www5.informe.org/cgi-bin/online/ethics/cleanelection/home.pl

Find Owen on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CasasforRepofMaineHouseDistrict94/