WILTON — Tom Saviello has announced that he will seek election to Maine Senate District 18. Senator Walter Gooley is the present Senator and is stepping down.

The Wilton resident is serving his fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives. He has a background in forestry and environmental compliance, and received a Ph.D. in forest resources from the University of Maine at Orono in 1978.

Rep. Saviello is active in his community as a member of the Wilton Lions and Masonic Lodge #156. He is a member of the Wilton Congregational Church, and has served as a director for MSAD #9. He is presently serving his third time as a Wilton selectman. He is on the Board of Directors for the Wilton Blue Berry Festival. Saviello will be seeking to represent Senate District 18, which includes most of Franklin County and parts of Kennebec and Somerset County.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue serving the people living in the towns within District 18,” said Saviello. “I plan to continue to be an active voice for the special needs and concerns of our area.”

In this session Saviello was the co-chair of the Rural Caucus. In that position he took a leadership role on many legislative actions to ensure the rural areas of his house district and the state were fairly represented.

“This summer and continuing into this fall I have been meeting with as many of the selectmen in the towns that make up District 18 as I can. I am trying to better understand their towns concerns and help I might offer as the Senator representing them,” Saviello noted.

In the Legislature, Rep. Saviello has worked with fellow Democratic, Republican, and Independent legislators in a nonpartisan effort to bring meaningful legislation to the State. He has also worked to establish common sense environmental regulations, which protect the environment while preserving jobs. He has worked closely with the hospital, local school districts, local loggers, nursing homes, and other community agencies and businesses to make sure they can sustain themselves in these difficult economic times.

“I really appreciate the fact that Tom is running for the State Senate. He has continuously fought the battle for his constituents in the Maine House. He does not care whose idea it is, Democrat, Republican or Independent, he will support it as long as it is the best interest of his constituents,” Bob Carlton of Freeman Township said.

“I feel I can continue to bring balance and change in state government as we know it by working together. My experience as a selectman, school board member, business manager, and as a State Representative has prepared me to tackle the challenges facing Senate District 18,” Saviello said.

“I am glad to hear Tom is running for the state senate. He has personally made a huge difference in our communities. He will do the same as our senator,” Eileen Miazga of Strong commented.

Saviello ran his previous campaigns as a “Clean Elections” candidate, opting to forego any private campaign donations. He says he will follow the Clean Election law this time as well. He will be running as a Republican.

Saviello is a resident of Wilton. He is a widower with two young adult children: Allison, 26 and Ben, 22, and his locally famous dog, Baxter.