State Rep. Tiffany D. Roberts (D-South Berwick) launched her campaign for Maine’s First District Congressional seat in her home town of South Berwick Wednesday evening.
Surrounded by family, friends and community members, Roberts said her campaign will focus on rebuilding trust in government, strengthening the economy and ensuring that working families have a voice in Washington – an implicit criticism of the woman she is challenging incumbent, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME).
Roberts told attendees that her bid is centered on “respect, responsibility, and results,” and emphasized that her candidacy is about advocating for Maine’s future rather than opposing any specific individual.
Roberts, a small-business owner and four-term legislator, has chaired legislative committees that include work on agriculture, fisheries, small business, housing, economic development and innovation. She said Maine is facing generational challenges including rising costs, workforce shortages and the increasing difficulty for families to remain in the communities where they grew up.
“Our heritage industries don’t need saving — they need upgrading,” she said, calling for policies that support new technologies, new markets and expanded economic opportunities within the state. Roberts framed that goal as key to keeping younger residents in Maine and bringing back families who have left for work elsewhere.
She also highlighted voting rights, reproductive access, equality and justice as core values she intends to uphold.
To kick off the campaign, Roberts plans a “Six Counties in Six Weeks” listening tour across York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Knox, Lincoln and southern Kennebec counties, where she will hold town halls and meet with residents and local businesses.
First elected in 2018, Roberts represents House District 149, which includes North Berwick and South Berwick. She has chaired the Legislature’s Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee, and the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, and has served on the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee as well as the Housing and Economic Development Committee. Roberts is also a small-business owner and is completing a master’s degree in public policy at the University of Southern Maine.
Roberts work in public office has been recognized by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, which honored her with its “Business Champion Award,” and by the Retail Association of Maine, which awarded her the 2025 Jim McGregor Award for integrity and collaboration in public service .
She lives in South Berwick with her husband, Jeff. According to Facebook, Roberts’ favorite color is purple.
