ELLSWORTH — Matthew J. Foster of Ellsworth has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for state representative for District 38, which includes Ellsworth, Otis and Trenton.

Foster, 42, is an attorney in private practice in Ellsworth. He previously held elective office from 2006-2009 as a member of the Ellsworth City Council.

“The biggest challenge that I see for the next person elected as state representative will be managing the changes that our entire state government is going through since the election of Governor LePage,” Foster said in a statement announcing his candidacy. “Attention to detail will be essential in making sure that when implementing such sweeping reform in our state we keep in mind the effects of those changes on every citizen of our state.”

Foster said one of his top priorities will be listening to the citizens of the district and acting in accordance with their wishes.

“If elected, I will first of all listen to the public and advocate for policies that reflect what the citizens want from their government,” Foster said. “I will use the skills I have gained through my education and experience in both finance and the law to promote legislation that both supports the reforms our state desperately, and that protect all of our citizens to the greatest extent possible.”

Foster, a 1987 Ellsworth High School graduate, served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne as a combat medic from 1991-92.

He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Maine in 1994 and a Master in Business Administration (finance) degree from Suffolk University in 2001. He also earned his Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School in 2001.

Foster and his wife, Melissa, have a newborn daughter, Aislinn, and make their home in Ellsworth.

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