Rep. Higgins unenrolls from Republican Party to become an independent

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Rep. Norman Higgins of Dover-Foxcroft has announced that he has unenrolled from the Republican Party and will represent his district as an independent. Higgins is in his second term representing House District 120, the towns of Atkinson, Brownville, Dover-Foxcroft, Medford, Milo, Lake View Plantation and the unorganized territory of Orneville.

Higgins was elected in 2014 and served on the energy, utilities and technology committee in the 127th Legislature and he was reelected in 2016. He serves on the agriculture, conservation and forestry committee in the 128th Legislature.

A lifelong educator in Piscataquis County, Higgins has been a teacher, high school principal and superintendent. He has served as a selectman, trustee at Mayo Regional Hospital and Foxcroft Academy trustee.

“We live in an environment in which political language amplifies the discourse in our state and nation,” Higgins said. “The Legislature becomes a partisan arena where the outcomes are measured in wins and losses. Our citizens observe this extreme level of competition and lose faith in our ability as a society to find solutions for the common good. The citizens expect their representatives to work together and capture the best ideas regardless of party and find common sense solutions.

“I welcome the challenge as an independent to forge relationships and to identify common areas of agreement to address key issues of education and workforce development, health care, economic development, energy and the environment and support for our aging population. Together we can make a difference.”