Jo-Jean Keller is running for Maine Senate District 17 (Greene, Leeds, Lisbon, Livermore, Livermore Falls, Sabattus, Turner, and Wales). A resident of Lisbon Falls, Jo-Jean shares this information about herself to encourage you to cast your ballot for her.
Tell us a bit about your personal history – jobs held, accomplishments, or other information about you that you’d like voters to know:
I came to Maine in 1978 with my husband and two young children. My husband was stationed at NAS Brunswick. As we traveled frequently, I found the quickest way to become part of a community was to volunteer, which I did often, becoming a Jaycee Woman and a library board member. I also was a substitute teacher and Ed Tech in the Lisbon School System.
As my children grew older, I became an L.L. Bean Customer Service Training and Communications Specialist. My career spanned 20+ years. After retiring early, I became Lisbon Library’s Children’s Librarian. I thoroughly enjoyed both my careers.
What led you to run for this office?
I have been active in the Lisbon Community for years. I’ve been a Library Board member, am currently a member of the UMaine County Extension Board, the Lisbon Development Committee and a Lisbon Emergency Services Board member.
In 2021, I decided to run for Lisbon Town Council and was a councilor for three years. At the end of my term, I wasn’t ready to retire from public service. I was approached about becoming a candidate for Maine Senate, I said yes.
What are the most important issues that residents of Androscoggin County face? What do you propose to address those issues?
Health services are one of my biggest concerns. As facilities are sold to buyers out of state, Maine loses vital control over what is available. Critically important are women’s rights to determine their own lives. Another is housing. There are not enough houses and the prices are out of reach for many. Add property taxes when you do have a house makes it a crisis for many. Tied to affordability is ensuring that Mainers’ incomes keep up with rising costs. Climate and environment are critically important as well.
What do you think the biggest challenges of this office will be? How do you plan to overcome them?
The current divisiveness is a huge challenge. It’s incredibly difficult to accomplish what we need to if people constantly emphasize their differences. I plan to help people understand what they have in common.
Here are my “Be” Rules:
- Be Respectful
- Be Understanding
- Be a good Listener
- Be Empathetic
- Be Supportive
If elected, what elected official would you most like to emulate?
Obama and Mamdani