I’m Marcus Mrowka, and I’m a Democrat running to be your next State Representative because I believe a better future is possible—for all. And we need leaders who will fight for that better future with everything they’ve got.
I love our community, and my partner and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. But it’s getting harder and harder for folks to afford to live, work, raise a family, and thrive here. We see it in our schools, with enrollment declining not because people don’t love our schools but because families can’t afford to live here. I’m running to change that and win bold solutions to create the livable and vibrant communities we all need to thrive.
I haven’t just talked about the issues making it harder and harder for working people and small businesses to get by, I’ve championed bold solutions throughout my career in education, economic policy, and the labor movement.
I’ve led on our school board, where we created the state’s first nature-based pre-k, expanded outdoor and project-based learning, introduced universal pre-k, fought for housing solutions, and became one of the first high schools in the state to go phone-free. I’ve led in state government, championing investments in our schools and empowering teachers. I’ve led alongside people like Senator Elizabeth Warren and Nobel prize-winning economist Joe Stigltiz on policies to rewrite the rules of our economy to benefit all people and not just the wealthy and big corporations. And I’ve fought alongside working people while in the labor movement to secure better wages, benefits, and working conditions and pass the Affordable Care Act, Wall Street Reform, and other consequential legislation.
I have the leadership and experience to deliver for you from day one. As your Representative in Augusta, I’ll fight every day to make life more affordable for you, to strengthen our schools, to support the small businesses that power our communities, and to defend our freedoms against the attacks coming from Washington.
What I’ll Fight For
Affordability
I believe that if you work in Camden and Rockport, you should be able to afford to live in Camden and Rockport. That’s becoming impossible as rising costs push people out of our communities. We’re seeing it in our schools with declining enrollment due to skyrocketing housing costs. I will fight for vibrant communities where people live, work, raise families, and thrive.
I understand these challenges because I’ve been in the thick of it for decades. I’ve served in and understand how state government works, and I will bring this experience to deliver the solutions and relief you need.
In the State House, I’ll fight to expand housing and make it easier and less costly to build, for universal childcare and pre-k, to bring down healthcare costs and make Maine a leader in delivering affordable healthcare for all, for strong unions, for property tax relief, I’ll take on skyrocketing utility costs, and support our local industries.
I’ll work to create a public healthcare option and hold big healthcare companies and insurers more accountable. I’ll ensure the Maine Public Utilities Commission rejects unfair rate increases and advocates for consumers. I’ll work to expand the homestead exemption and ask those who are fortunate enough to own second or third homes in our state to chip in more so we can provide relief to those of us who live here year-round. And I’ll bring officials, realtors, developers, and nonprofits together to develop housing solutions for our area.
I’ve fought for the schools that all kids, families, and teachers deserve as a leader with the American Federation of Teachers union, the Maine Department of Education, and as your School Board Chair. Growing up in a dangerous home with parents facing severe addiction and mental health issues, it was my public schools and teachers who made me who I am. I want to make sure those same opportunities exist for every student.
I’m proud that during my two terms on our School Board and as Chair, we’ve expanded hands-on and outdoor learning opportunities, created the state’s first nature-based pre-k program, strengthened our innovation center, committed to vibrant athletic and performing arts programs, banned phones, and focused on providing students with multiple pathways for them to succeed. I’ll continue to advocate for these investments and policies you and your family deserve – for additional state funding and to fix a funding formula that unfairly burdens coastal communities like ours, for additional investments in Career and Technical Education and the trades, for universal pre-K, and for free community college. I’ll fight to invest in educators and treat teaching like the valued and respected profession it is.
I’ll also have the backs of our small businesses that are foundational to the economic and overall success of our communities. I want to make it easier for members of our communities to start and sustain small businesses. That means reducing costs and red tape, providing more start up funding, and ensuring nobody has to give up on their dreams because they can’t afford health care. I started a business myself last year, and I want to partner with others on an agenda that supports the small businesses that call our community home.
Opportunity
Defending Our Freedoms
The Trump administration has abandoned working people while targeting states like Maine and attacking our basic rights and freedoms. State Houses are the first line of defense against federal overreach, and we need representatives in Augusta who will fight Trump's cruel agenda to strengthen our democracy and protect our rights. I’ve never shied away from a bully, and I don’t intend to start now.
Supported By Teachers
"Through steady leadership and a deep commitment to his community, Marcus has shown that strong public schools are the foundation of opportunity and long-term success. We believe education is not just a priority, but a responsibility and we’re confident he will bring that same focus and integrity to the State House."
-Maine County Teachers of the Year
Backed By Labor
"Whether it's championing great public schools that all our students deserve or fighting for working people to have a decent life, Marcus doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk. I've worked with Marcus for years. He cares deeply, shows up for people, gets results, and believes fiercely in fairness and opportunity for all. I've witnessed this through his work with AFT and our members, and his leadership on the Five Town CSD and Camden-Rockport Schools school boards. His focus is always on finding real solutions that will create a better future for kids, families, and our communities. I know he will bring that same passion and commitment to deliver for the people of Camden and Rockport in the State House. I'm proud to support him."
-Randi Weingarten
President, AFT
“Elections matter. And electing candidates who stand with workers and share their values, understand their issues, and are determined to improve the lives of workers is crucial. I worked with Marcus at SEIU when we pushed candidates to understand what workers face every day. Marcus is an advocate for working people in his core. He is smart, determined, and focused, and will never let the families of Maine down. A vote for Marcus is a vote for your future.”
-Anna Burger
Former Secretary-Treasurer, SEIU
“Marcus isn’t a politician who talks about working people — he’s spent years in the trenches fighting alongside them. I know from working with him at SEIU that he brings integrity, determination, and a real commitment to fairness. He understands what families are up against and has the experience and values to represent them well in the Maine State House.”
-Andrew Stern
President Emeritus, SEIU
We are in a defining moment for our communities and for our nation.
I believe my policy and advocacy track record at the local, state, and national level, my proven leadership, and my own life experiences position me to be the strong voice we need in Augusta. I’ve always been someone who rolls up their sleeves and works to make life better for people, and I’ve been an active part of the Camden community since making this my chosen home. My partner Liam and I are proud to call Camden home, and I simply can’t imagine living anywhere else.
I'm running to be the Democratic nominee in this race. I hope to earn your vote. Together, we can ensure Camden and Rockport are vibrant communities for all.
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