Longtime educator Fox to run for office for first time

     PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Longtime SAD 1 educator Larry Fox has announced his candidacy for the Maine House of Representatives District 147, which includes most of Presque Isle. Fox, a Republican, says he wants to harness his experience helping young people get started in careers to advocate for policies that will grow jobs in Maine.
“I have worked hard for decades on behalf of students and their families in Presque Isle, and I want to work even harder for them in Augusta,” he said. “It would be a great honor to represent the community I love and know so well.”
Fox is retiring June 30 after 25 years working in SAD 1. He started as a science teacher and coach for both basketball and cross-country at Cunningham Middle School and later became the principal, serving before and after it merged to create Presque Isle Middle School. He then worked as the director of the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center and Adult Education, and currently serves as curriculum director for the district.
Growing up on his parents’ (Kenneth and Verdella Fox) farm, Fox graduated from Washburn District High School and what is now the University of Maine at Presque Isle. After college, he worked in agricultural management for the R.T. French Co. and later as personnel director for the Aroostook Mental Health Center and Cary Medical Center in Caribou. Fox earned a master’s in public administration from the University of Maine before beginning his career in education.
“My career has allowed me to get to know the amazing people of Presque Isle and to watch some truly outstanding students grow up,” said Fox. “Unfortunately, many of those people have left The County and Maine to find employment.
“Many of the policies that affect our economy are implemented at the state level, and we need people with the right experience to go to Augusta and fight for the kind of reforms that will bring jobs home,” he said. “I also look forward to advocating for The County’s agricultural community as this sector continues to provide business opportunities for many facets of our economy.”
Fox said he will focus on education reforms that match students young and old with good careers, regulatory reforms that remove barriers to growth for small businesses, and welfare reforms that ensure taxpayer dollars are going to those who are most in need.
“We need to get The County moving again, and I don’t think we have to settle for less,” Fox said. “We have incredible natural resources, hardworking people, and some incredible educational facilities. The County can be an economic powerhouse once again with the right leadership in Augusta.”
Fox and his wife of 40 years, Sylvia, have two adult sons and two grandchildren. Bradley lives in Presque Isle with his wife and two children and Elliot is an IT director in Albuquerque. He serves in leadership positions at his local church, and as an avid outdoorsman, Fox enjoys fly-fishing in local streams and spending time with his family in The County and New Mexico. He looks forward to hearing his constituents’ concerns and how he might most effectively help address them in Augusta as he begins his campaign.
“Mr. Fox will be a superb representative for The County in the Maine Legislature and I will be encouraging my friends in Presque Isle to give him their vote,” said Assistant House Republican Leader Alex Willette, who represents neighboring Mapleton.