LEWISTON — Retired DHHS caseworker Donna Gillespie intends to join the crowded field for Lewiston mayor.
Gillespie, 62, appeared last week on the city’s updated list of citizens who have pulled nomination papers for the November municipal election.
She told the Sun Journal on Wednesday that she’s a political newcomer — it’s the first time she’s run for any elected office, mostly because she hasn’t had the time until now.
“I’m not a politician,” she said, adding that she’s running a campaign to focus on positivity. “A lot of people are concerned with how negative things are.”
Gillespie worked for DHHS for 30 years, mostly as a caseworker for adults with disabilities. Shes a native of Cambridge, Mass., moving to Maine about 35 years ago. She’s lived in Lewiston for 25 years.
She likened the current political mood to having “bad morale at work.” She said that while there are issues in the city, the lack of bipartisanship is a “sticking point” for her.
“If you only focus on the negatives, it becomes this chain effect,” she said.
While candidates for elected office in Lewiston don’t disclose a political party, Gillespie said she identifies as an Independent. She’s also not taking any campaign contributions, and said her campaign will be mostly word of mouth.
Once her nomination papers are certified, she said, a website will go live.
As for issues she’d like to undertake, Gillespie said she’d address housing in Lewiston, especially living conditions and rent control. She also said the city’s problems with inequality and drugs need to be scrutinized.
Also running for mayor this Nov. 7 are Mark Cayer, Ben Chin, Ron Potvin and Charles Soule. All but Potvin and Gillespie have had their signatures verified by the City Clerk’s office.