Cebra withdraws from House race, Nostin in

House 68 candidate John Nostin

House 68 candidate John Nostin

Former state representative Richard Cebra has withdrawn as a Republican candidate for the House District 68 seat, and has been replaced by John Nostin of Naples.

“Due to personal reasons I have withdrawn from the District 68 race, no further comment will be offered,” Cebra told The News last week.

Nostin faces incumbent State Representative, Christine Powers, D-Naples, in the Nov. 4 election. House District 68 includes the towns of Naples, Sebago, Baldwin, Cornish and part of Parsonsfield.

“I believe in a state government that is accountable to all of its citizens and lives within its budget in a nonpartisan way. Fiscal restraint and accountability for all levels of government is paramount: control spending at all levels of government, state, county and local to ensure fiscal stability and minimal debt for future generations,” Nostin said. “Many Maine government agencies are too large and affect all of us in some way or another. I will ensure that there is oversight and sponsor legislation that reforms and eliminates fraud and waste. This is especially true as more and more cases of fraud and drug-related crime involving EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards as a medium of exchange become uncovered.”

He added, “Anyone who is in an elected position must listen to their constituents. I will listen and have an open door policy to invite the residents of House District 68 to write, e-mail, meet with me or call me to discuss their issues and concerns.”

Nostin is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and has worked in the information technology field as a software developer, consultant and program manager in his 35-year career, spending 12 years in the Washington, D.C. area working with federal government departments such as the IRS, the Pentagon, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Postal Service, and the National Institutes of Health.

Nostin is active as a Friend of the Naples Public Library, a member of the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and president of Naples Bay Colony Homeowners Association. He has been a past director and secretary of the Naples Lions Club, is a volunteer for the CrossWalk Community Outreach food pantry having modified their website, and worked as a volunteer in their produce garden as a Master Gardener, and is a member of St. Joseph Church in Bridgton. He enjoys gardening and landscaping. He graduated from the Master Gardener Program on May 2014 at the University of Maine Extension.

He and his wife, Ann, have been married since Aug. 7, 1976. They reside in Naples.

Nostin’s position on:

Education — A good education is key for our kids future and wellbeing.

Fiscal Control — I believe in a state government that is accountable to all of its citizens and lives within its budget, controlling spending at all levels of government to ensure fiscal stability and minimal debt for future generations.

Pro-Business — Maine has been burdened with high electricity rates, high taxes, overregulation and a hostile business climate. I will work tirelessly to change the rule that has hurt our state and made it difficult for business.

Welfare Reform — I will ensure that there is oversight and sponsor legislation that reforms and eliminates fraud and waste.

Fundamental Right — I will always support the right of law-abiding citizens to own firearms.

The News will profile candidates and all area races prior to the November election.