Lahaina resident Jen Mather is running for the District 10 State House seat that represents Lahaina, Maalaea and North Kihei.

LAHAINA – Lahaina resident Jen Mather has announced her candidacy for the District 10 State House seat that represents Lahaina, Maalaea and North Kihei.

A Kanaka ‘Oiwi woman running as a Green Party candidate, she feels “the political arena has been overwhelmed by special, outside interests that work to silence the people of this ‘aina. It is time for new voices to represent this community that continually sacrifices to make ends meet and protect what they love.”

As the president and co-founder of the King Kamehameha III Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization and a Girl Scout troop leader, Mather has made strides in the community to advocate for youth and their empowerment.

As the office administrator for the 195-year-old Waiola Church, Mather has also led the charge in outreach programs to reinforce community within the historic Lahaina neighborhood.

She said her core values are influenced by a variety of life experiences – the most significant being her role as a mother.

Mather trusts that researching candidates’ values is how voters will educate themselves.

She stated, “I believe voters are smarter than ever, and they’ll begin investigating candidates’ foundational values to see how they think, how they’ll interpret what’s being said to them, and most importantly, how they’ll vote on the floor of the House.”

Mather will be on the General Election ballot on Nov. 6 for State House District 10. The seat has been held by incumbent Rep. Angus McKelvey (D) since 2006.

For more information on Mather’s campaign, visit her website at www.jen4ten.com or her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jen4ten.

Donations are welcome; send checks made payable to Friends of Jen Mather to P.O. Box 1002, Lahaina, HI 96767. n