Logo for Dan Simonds State House featuring stylized green and blue waves and text in bold white and blue letters.

Maine House District 73 serving Maine’s Western Mountains,

including the towns of Andover, Newry, Phillips, Kingfield, Carrabasset Valley, Stratton, Eustis, Rangeley, The Forks, Jackman

About Dan

I came to western Maine originally as a small boy, and fell in love with our wild forested landscape. I studied Forestry at UMaine and made a career in the forest products industry. My wife, Lucy, and I came to Rangeley in 1990 and made a home for our family. Now I am hoping to give back to our community by representing Maine’s Western Mountains in the State House.

My professional career included 20 years managing woodlands. I was one of the folks who were laid off when the big paper company left town, and found a way to begin a new career in my 40’s. I founded my own consulting business, specializing in environmental standards for the wood products industry. I help businesses untangle the complicated requirements of international standards, finding practical solutions that add value. By nature, I’m a problem solver, and I hope to put these skills to use in the State House.

I consider myself the product of a world-class public education system, and I am determined to ensure that our kids today get nothing less. My family have always had full access to affordable and excellent healthcare, and I believe that this should be true for everyone in our society. I’ve been fortunate in my career and always able to provide my family with a secure and comfortable living. I think we should work towards a society where all of these things are available to everyone.

I am a beginner at politics and I don’t have an agenda. But I can promise you this: I will represent our communities in the State House with honesty, integrity, and dignity. I will listen closely and hold myself accountable to the folks who place their trust in me.

Close-up of a smiling middle-aged man with glasses, wearing a beige cap with a blue logo, and a navy blue shirt, outdoors with lush green foliage in the background.

What Matters Most

Good Government & Public Trust

I believe government should work for the common good. Right now, trust in institutions is eroding, and in many cases government has failed to adapt—or worse, is working against the public interest. That’s unacceptable. I will approach this role seriously, make decisions based on evidence and principle, and hold myself accountable to the people I represent.

Concentration of Wealth & Power

The growing concentration of wealth and political power in too few hands, is a defining challenge of our time. This imbalance distorts decision-making and leaves too many people without a real voice. We need to recognize this problem and work toward a system that is fairer and more representative of all of us.

Rural Representation & Local Voice

District 73 is made up of small, rural communities that are often isolated and not always well connected to state government. These communities are distinct, and they deserve to be heard as such. I will show up, listen carefully, and make sure decisions reflect the realities that people here are actually living.

Responsible Stewardship of Natural Resources

My career has been built around forestry, land management, and environmental standards. I understand how to balance economic activity with responsible stewardship. Maine’s natural resources are central to who we are, and we need to manage them thoughtfully and responsibly so they remain productive and sustainable for the long term.

Economic Reality for Small Business

As a small business owner, I understand the challenges of operating in today’s economy. Success requires adaptability, accountability, and practical problem-solving. I bring that same mindset to public service—focused on real-world impacts, not abstract ideas.