Amy Roeder

Amy Roeder was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She earned a high school diploma from New London-Spicer High School, a bachelor's degree in theatre from the University of Evansville in 1995, a master's degree in theatre from the University of Georgia in 2009, and a graduate degree from the University of Maine in 2022. Her career experience includes working as an adjunct professor with the University of Maine, the executive director of an arts nonprofit organization, the education director of a local professional theatre, a freelance business trainer, and a professional actor. She has been affiliated with the Actors Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the Part-Time Faculty Association.[1][2][3]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Amy Roeder is currently representing Bangor in the Maine House of Representatives. With a background in education, public policy, and community engagement, Roeder has served in the 130th and 131st Maine Legislatures, advocating for working families, housing solutions, and labor rights.

As the House Chair of the Labor and Housing Committee in the 131st Legislature, Roeder championed legislation like LD 949, which seeks to protect workers from employer surveillance​. Roeder was also a fierce advocate for workforce development initiatives and apprenticeships.

Roeder is committed to ensuring equity in public services. She has been involved in increasing healthcare access, strengthening labor protections, and advancing affordable housing policies that benefit working-class Mainers. In addition, she has supported child welfare reforms and mental health initiatives to protect vulnerable populations​.

Her career reflects not only her work in nonprofits that serve her community but deep roots in corporate training, bolstered by a BFA from the University of Evansville, an MFA from the University of Georgia, and an MBA from the University of Maine. Roeder is an adoptive mother of two sons.

Amy Roeder remains focused on building a more inclusive economy and sustainable future for all Mainers, continuing her efforts to make Maine a place where every family has the opportunity to thrive.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Maine must tackle the housing crisis with bold solutions to make homes affordable for working families and prevent outmigration. High construction costs, underproduction of housing for decades, and restrictive zoning have worsened the problem. Addressing this will require expanding housing inventory through partnerships, continuing investments in affordable housing, and fostering development that balances growth with community character. Prioritizing strategic policies—such as zoning reform and targeted incentives—can ensure Mainers have the housing they need to stay and thrive in our state.Every Mainer deserves a family-sustaining wage, safe working conditions, and the freedom to unionize. With many workers facing rising costs and stagnant wages, ensuring fair pay and workplace protections is critical to keeping families afloat. In Maine, sectors like healthcare, hospitality, and education depend on workers who deserve better protections. Strong unions help level the playing field by giving workers a voice, and we need policies that support collective bargaining, raise wages, and ensure safer working environments for all Mainers.Every Mainer deserves the fundamental right to choose when to start a family. We must ensure that reproductive health decisions remain personal, secure, and free from political interference, empowering Mainers to build their futures on their own terms while reinforcing the value of personal autonomy and safety.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

We need bold investments, zoning reforms, and public-private partnerships to tackle Maine’s housing crisis and ensure families can afford to stay and thrive here.

Every Mainer deserves fair wages, safe workplaces, and the right to unionize. I’ll fight for policies that support job security and economic opportunity for working families.

Maine must continue protecting the right to choose and expanding access to reproductive health care, keeping personal decisions free from political interference.

We need balanced approaches to prevent gun violence, respect Second Amendment rights, and invest in behavioral health care, including crisis response services.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Frances Perkins. Eleanor Roosevelt, the Willmar 8, Dolores Huerta, Deb Haaland

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Nickel and Dimed

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Service and Humility:

A public official must be guided by humility, recognizing that leadership is not about personal gain but about uplifting the community. Service to others reflects a higher calling—one rooted in the belief that we are here to care for one another and build a better world together.

Integrity and Accountability:

Trust is the foundation of public service. A public official must act with integrity, keeping their word and standing by their principles, even when it’s difficult. They must also be accountable, not only to the public they serve but to a higher standard of truth, ensuring their actions align with justice and fairness.

Compassion and Empathy:

Good governance begins with understanding the challenges people face. An official should listen with empathy and approach every issue with a heart that seeks to do what is right for all—not just for the privileged few.

Courage and Wisdom:

Courage is required to confront injustice, and wisdom is necessary to find practical, thoughtful solutions. A public official must balance boldness with discernment, knowing when to act decisively and when to listen carefully.

Stewardship of Community and Creation:

Public officials are caretakers of both the people they serve and the resources they manage. This stewardship extends to protecting Maine’s natural beauty and ensuring future generations inherit a thriving state. Leadership is about leaving things better than they were found.

Unity and Faith in People:

A public servant must believe in the potential of people working together toward a common good. Faith in the community and in something greater than oneself inspires hope and sustains the work needed to bring about meaningful change. Public service, when done right, is not merely a job—it’s a vocation rooted in service, guided by compassion, and driven by the belief that we are called to make the world more just, equitable, and whole.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Commitment to community, resilience, empathy, strong communication skills, adaptability and collaborative spirit.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A representative is entrusted with the responsibility of being the community’s voice in a larger body. This requires humility to truly hear constituents' concerns and wisdom to transform those voices into meaningful action. It is a sacred duty to advocate not just for today’s needs, but for future generations as well.

A legislator’s work is grounded in the belief that justice must guide public policy. This includes crafting laws that treat all people with fairness and dignity, while addressing the inequities faced by the vulnerable. It demands a constant rebalancing of power—ensuring that the marginalized are heard and protected.

Maine is home to diverse communities with differing needs, values, and priorities. A representative must harmonize these differences without diminishing them, fostering collaboration and compromise. True leadership requires recognizing that unity does not mean uniformity but working toward shared goals with respect for all perspectives.

Public officials are accountable not only to their constituents but also to a higher ethical standard—an unspoken contract to act with honesty, transparency, and fairness. They must be willing to take responsibility for their actions and decisions, even when those choices are unpopular or difficult.

Maine’s character is deeply tied to its history, natural beauty, and traditions. Yet, representatives must also embrace progress and innovation. They must seek ways to honor the past while paving the way for sustainable solutions that meet the challenges of a changing world.

At the heart of public office is a commitment to serve—not for personal ambition, but for the betterment of others. Service, in this sense, is a reflection of faith in human potential, rooted in the belief that governance is about empowering people to build stronger, healthier communities.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember Kevin Bigalke walking across our elementary schoolyard with the sousaphone he had just started to play in the band and catching my attention. "Someone shot the president," he said. In my mind, presidential assassination attempts were a part of history, not the present. It didn't seem conceivable that President Reagan had been shot.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Camp counselor at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi. I worked there for four summers.

What is your favorite book? Why?

A Prayer for Owen Meaney by John Irving

I am a huge fan of Irving's way with narrative; the way he blends the future into the present and past. Ultimately, this book is about love and family, but the overarching theme of destiny and sacrifice is what really punches you in the heart.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Anne Shirley

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

As co-equal branches. Maine has some recalibration to do.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Housing, aging workforce, access to affordable, quality healthcare, substance use disorder, homelessness

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

To some extent, yes. They have to at the very least understand the scope and responsibility of the office.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It's imperative. You can't negotiate without building relationships, you cannot build consensus, you cannot govern.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Shenna Bellows.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Man plans and God laughs.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Hearing from people in recovery and people who have lost friends and family to SUD on bills to expand the Good Samaritan laws in Maine, funding for recovery community centers and rural recovery residences were powerful and will stay with me always.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

In most cases, yes.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I'd reintroduce the bill I had (that passed both houses but didn't get funded) to prevent the state from seizing the federal survivor benefits of children in foster care.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Maine AFL-CIO, Eastern Maine Labor Council, SEIU-MSEA, the Sierra Club, The LGBTQ Victory Fund, Planned Parenthood, Wabanaki Alliance, NASW Maine, MEA, Maine Credit Union Association

What committees interest you?

Labor and Housing

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

They are essential. Full stop.

Amy Roeder did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Back home in my very small hometown, if someone asked me who I was, I'd answer "I'm Gwen and Jerry's girl" because, back home, our parents' names were used not only for identification purposes but as an indication of character. Being Gwen & Jerry's daughter means that I was raised with working class values. I was taught to do the right thing, even if it's hard. I was taught to listen well, stand up and fight hard. I was also taught that there were three non-negotiables in our family: drive a Chevrolet, never cross a picket line and always vote for Democrats. I may have a Ford sitting in my driveway now, but I am proud to say that I am a union member and lifelong Democrat. Sorry about the Ford, Dad.

Because of my parents' hard work (and because of many a weekend walking the ditches around my home picking up aluminum cans to turn in for cash), I was able to go to college. I went to the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana for my bachelor's degree and followed that up with a masters at the University of Georgia. I'm currently enrolled in the University of Maine's graduate business program. I'm a former foster parent and, with my husband, an adoptive mother to two incredible sons and a proud resident of Little City in Bangor. I'm also an adjunct professor, a freelance corporate trainer, Rotarian, avid reader and hiker. I'm counting on you to help me add to that list: Representative to the Maine Legislature.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As a union member, I am committed to fighting for fair wages, safe working conditions and expanded opportunities for all workers, not just union members. I believe strongly in public education and fully funding our schools. I've seen small businesses bring Bangor back to life and I will prioritize small business concerns over large companies who are motivated to prioritize profit over people and commercial success over our communities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public policies that work for the people who are being served by government. As your Representative, I will work to have policies that ensure access to strong education; fair wages and working conditions for all working people; health care that's about health and not about figuring out how to pay the next giant medical bill; and common sense approaches in all parts of government to make sure all Mainers have an equal opportunity to thrive.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Honestly, my mom and dad. One of the first lessons my dad taught me (in between tying my shoes and riding a bike) was to never cross a picket line. Life as a scab is no life at all. My mom was a public school teacher and I remember her staying up late to teach herself as much Spanish as she could before a Spanish speaking child was placed in her class. Yes, she taught, but she also went out of her way and frequently out of pocket to ensure that no child in her classroom had a barrier to learning. Education to Mom was a right, not a privilege.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The commitment to working for justice, equity and equality for everyone. I don't believe in thinking of our legislators as "elected officials" as much as I believe we should truly expect them to be public servants. I am running specifically to be a public servant.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. I was six. Before that, I remember flashes of Jimmy Carter's election, my parents not taking me to see "Star Wars" but promising me they'd tell me all about it when they went (they didn't) and the Bicentennial.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a camp counselor at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi in Minnesota. It was a summer job and I returned to it for four years and earned a service award. I may or may not still have my staff shirt. :)

What is your favorite book? Why?

A Prayer for Owen Meany. John Irving writes about magic like it's an everyday occurrence. His characters are fully realized and complex and frequently tragic. There's always something redeeming about the characters, though, and there's always some beautiful, bright hope embedded in the story.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Hermione Granger, Harriet Vane, Leslie Knope or Jo March, I think.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

God help me, it was probably John Jacob Jingleheimerschmidt. What an awful song to get stuck in your head!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Until recently, I didn't believe that the American Dream was possible. How could I when I was frequently working up to four jobs just to pay the rent and put food on the table? I couldn't pay for a dentist's visit, let alone a house and a car. I moved to Maine because I was offered a very good job and soon found that my community was the perfect place for me to realize what I had previously thought was impossible: the American Dream. Maine is so far ahead of other states in so many ways and we have the opportunity to keep that momentum going, but only if we elect authentic leaders who know what it's like to struggle to pay for the basic necessities. We need elected officials who understand that we can't thrive as a state until everyone is able to survive without crippling hardship. I know what that's like.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

The House of Representatives is truly about closely representing the people. I'm running for the House specifically because of its more direct connection to the constituents.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe legislators should be educated on the issues, adept at communication, able to deeply listen to their constituents and knowledgeable about how their state government works. Beyond that, prior experience is irrelevant.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

I believe the relationship should be one of mutual respect and commitment to collaboration. We may disagree on issues, but we must fundamentally be dedicated to putting the interests of the people at the forefront of our legislation.