When I was invited to run for the State House in 1996, I was astonished and intrigued. I had moved to Maine in 1990 after serving as the Executive Director of the Outward Bound Association of Southern Africa, located in the High Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. I believed that by working hard and by working together we could make a difference, and our Outward Bound programs helped South Africa move toward ending apartheid. With family support, I agreed to run.

I campaigned hard and won, much to everyone’s surprise. After all, I was from away, a woman, had an unpronounceable name, and worse yet, was a Democrat. What I found serving in Augusta was that in this amazing state of Maine, you can make a difference. And that is really what I live for. There is a creative solution to every problem; we just have to work at it until we find it.

I served eight years in the House of Representatives in the Maine State Legislature in two separate four year stints. I served two terms on the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources and three terms as the House Chair on the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry. Through my natural desire to listen and appreciate different perspectives, I was highly respected and liked by my colleagues, occasionally finding myself in the midst of a conflict and being looked to to guide us toward collaboration and resolution. Because I was highly effective as a State Legislator, I want to go back to Augusta and once again serve my constituents, the citizens of Maine, and the great state of Maine.

There is still a lot to do. Climate change, health care, a living wage, a focus on families, affordable continuing education, and somehow getting the acrimony out of Washington before it destroys our country and even the world. Just for starters!

I would love to touch base with you. Knocking on doors was always a favorite part of campaigning for me, and I miss that direct contact. You can reach me by phone at 529-5747, text at 441-8606, email me at wpieh@lincoln.midcoast.com and/or at my website at www.wendypieh.com. Drop by Springtide Farm and visit the goats, sheep and horses!

Born in Ohio, I grew up in a family that was dedicated to education, and to the power of the wilderness. My family leased an island in northern Ontario, where we spent several summers building a log cabin with the help of the local Ojibwe tribe. Of course, even as a toddler, I wanted to help out, and learned the power of kindness and laughter. It was on that island that I developed my sense of independence, honesty, and fair play.

The family moved from our farm in Ohio to Alabama to Minnesota, and I began to discover in myself the inner commitment to make a difference. I lived off the land, worked with others in a wilderness setting, and at the age of 40 went back to school to put an academic framework to my hands on learning in the “school of hard knocks.” I earned a master’s degree in Organization Development from the business school at Pepperdine University, giving me a breadth of skills that has carried me forward into the world of politics.

I was first a member of our local school board and went from there to state representative and selectman. With 25 years’ experience as an elected official, I have to say that working in governance and policy has put me right where I can make the most difference in improving things for my constituents and others.

Clean Elections takes the money out of politics, and nearly every candidate in Maine participates.

I have qualified to run as a Clean Election Candidate, thanks to the generous donations of many of you. Thank you very much!