Why These Librarians Are Running for State Political Office–And You Should, Too: Book Censorship News, May 1, 2026

Current job: Executive Director, Kennebunk Free Library

Election Date: June 9, 2026

What compelled you to run for state office? 

Running for office was never something that I had considered until the day I was called and asked to do so. I had always been interested in state and local politics and had gotten involved in advocacy activities with the Maine Library Association but even when I learned running for office was an option, I certainly didn’t want to be front and center. After speaking with a few representatives, I realized how accessible they were and how willing they were to help.

What priorities do you have for the position were you to be elected? 

To bring people together both across the aisle, at the State House, and in my community. I’d like to facilitate the opportunities to talk about things that connect instead of divide people. For example, the topic could be about caring for a sick or aging loved one.

Where and how do you feel your background as a librarian prepared you for public office?

So much of it! Libraries are places where everyone can visit and librarians provide this space for socialization, education, and discussion. We interact with and help all kinds of people with compassion and discretion, which is huge!

What would you tell fellow library workers considering a run for political office to encourage them to do it?

Do it! I have a very busy life with kids and a full-time job but I was supported to do as much as I could and that was okay. I never even knew this was an opportunity but I’m telling you it is so much more attainable than you think! Plus, you get to meet so many great people along the way during your campaign. Even if you’re not elected, as was my experience in 2024, the connections I made have been a huge boon to boosting the visibility of libraries. It’s a platform I never knew I had.

What’s one thing you want the general public to know about libraries and what is one thing that they can do to support their public libraries and public school libraries?

Everyone should visit their local library at least once a year. Browse the collection, attend a program, or just renew your card to sign up for online serices and see what’s going on! Get to know your librarians and what they do on a daily basis. Day-to-day, it’s never the same. They’re doing more than you realize. Then share their stories.

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Current job: Librarian at Winooski School District

Website: https://mattgileforwinooski.com/

Election Date: August 11, 2026 (primary)

What compelled you to run for state office? 

I’ve spent my life in libraries, reading and working and sharing in their welcoming spirit. Libraries are one of the best institutions society has built, and I want to see the same inclusivity in more aspects of our lives. For me, running for state office is a way to bring stories of the library spirit to the legislature. I want to make more laws that serve everyone. Personally, I first got involved in legislative issues when I heard about a bill that would radically reshape Vermont education. Sadly, the voices of educators and those most impacted were pushed aside in the conversation. I’m running for office because we need more educators represented in the legislature!

What priorities do you have for the position were you to be elected? 

While many people know Vermont as one of the least diverse states, Winooski–where I live and am the school librarian–has been a refugee resettlement community for decades. ICE’s indiscriminate and brutal actions have created immense fear in Winooski. Too many people have experienced direct harm. I want to keep ICE out of our schools, hospitals, and government buildings. Families should be free to get medical treatment, attend school or work, and live their lives without fear. 

Our public schools must educate our children about the diversity of people in the world. Our state government must stand up for educators. When the federal government threatens schools for teaching about racial justice or protecting trans students, legislators must fight back to defend the right to teach tolerance.

We need to build housing that is crucial for our communities. Private for-profit developers will not build the affordable, family-sized units that communities across Vermont desperately need. When I’m in the statehouse I will fight to build more public housing, increase the number of affordable units, and reduce barriers to access housing.

Where and how do you feel your background as a librarian prepared you for public office?

For the past ten years I’ve worked in Winooski, where our school serves students from preK to 12th grade. It is a joy to support students’ curiosity through their whole academic journey. This gives me a special opportunity to see some of the seeds planted in elementary school blossom. I get to support students’ interests as they grow into passions, and ultimately into decisions about how they want to explore and change the world after they leave our school. 

Students always get nostalgic in their senior year. They walk around the storytime area (which I made sure was preserved through our recent renovation) and they ask if I remember storytime when they were in elementary school. Of course I do! Throughout my career I’ve seen so much growth and struggle and I’m constantly in awe of my students.

It’s been tough to balance the inspiration I see from students with the realities of the world we live in. I have seen how housing instability and food insecurity harms children. Our district does amazing things to support our students, but the solution to a homeless child is not additional support from their school. The solution is to house everyone and give everyone access to what they need. We work hard in the district to provide transportation from shelters, distribute warm clothes, and share fresh food, but bigger change is needed at the state level. As a state rep, I will fight for that change and bring these stories of struggle to my colleagues in Montpelier.

What would you tell fellow library workers considering a run for political office to encourage them to do it? 

You have the skills and knowledge you need! Your perspective as a library worker is invaluable in policy decisions.

What’s one thing you want the general public to know about libraries and what is one thing that they can do to support their public libraries and public school libraries?

Of course your library has free books you can borrow, but did you know that your library also hosts events, workshops, storytimes, and has other resources to offer? Many libraries have programs for kids after school. Some libraries host movie nights or game clubs or have tools you can borrow. Libraries are one of the most impactful, free resources that is available to everyone. I encourage you to find out what’s happening in your library and get involved. Supporting your local library is a great way to support your community.

Current job/former job: rural Library Director

Website/Social Media: mayforiowa.com; On social media: MayforIowa for campaign content and CodeRedState for other political content

Election Date: June 2, 2026

What compelled you to run for state office? 

I attended a town hall to advocate against book banning legislation in Iowa. My Representative and Senator defended the book bans, even without evidence. In that town hall, they both also defended the removal of discrimination protections from trans and non-binary people. My initial goal was to recruit a good candidate and to volunteer for the campaign, but it became evident that I was the most passionate person for the job. I mustered all my audacity and filed the paperwork.

What priorities do you have for the position were you to be elected? 

My first priority is to stop the corporate grifts that have happened through the Iowa statehouse, especially relating to potentially illegally denied healthcare by privatized Medicaid companies. We must also stop the onslaught of anti-school and anti-library bills so we can let teachers teach and regain our status as best in the nation for education. Our wages are low due to a tanking economy while we give massive tax breaks to the wealthiest Iowans (and their corporations), which caused a $1.3 billion deficit last year with no end in sight. Basically, we will need to tax rich people. We also have to address the crisis of poisoned drinking water due to industrial and agricultural runoff. If I can move the needle in any way towards these goals, I will be proud of my work.

Where and how do you feel your background as a librarian prepared you for public office?

My work as a librarian made me a community organizer. I know how to connect people with resources, how to balance a public budget (including when it’s necessary to “do more with less”), and how to host events that people will want to attend. My job in the library taught me how public office works and how to collaborate between levels and departments of government. This work actually lends quite well to campaigning, and I know it will come in handy when it comes to governing, if I’m able to earn the opportunity.

What would you tell fellow library workers considering a run for political office to encourage them to do it? 

Do it, do it, do it!

The folks at the library don’t take jobs for the money or prestige. They just want to help people. We need people who use critical thinking and research skills in office. In my opinion, those traits qualify a librarian as the exact type of person who belongs in a position of power. We need people who know the needs of their community and who know the resources in their community, so we can meet the unmet needs. We need you right now!

What’s one thing you want the general public to know about libraries and what is one thing that they can do to support their public libraries and public school libraries?

I had to leave my library job when I became vocal about my political convictions on social media. This might be happening in your state too. Here in Iowa, teachers and librarians receive backlash about things they post online. I’m not facing this scrutiny in my work as an RN.

The good news is that teachers and librarians have the same First Amendment rights as all other Americans. Furthermore, our patrons have the right to read and be educated, free of government censorship or surveillance.

The bad news is that we only get to keep the rights we’re willing to speak up, vote, work, and fight for. Defending American freedom by any means necessary is the most patriotic work we can do in these divisive and difficult times. If you can’t run for office yourself, please volunteer your time, talents, or resources to an anti-corruption, pro-community candidate in your region. We will need all hands on deck to overcome the power of dark money, misinformation, and voter suppression this November, and that work is happening right now. If my words resonate with you, you can get more info about me, donate to my campaign, and/or contact me at mayforiowa.com. Never feel pressured to contribute financially if it’s difficult to afford. You can help me immensely for free by sharing my videos on social media @MayforIowa on all platforms except Twitter.

The best way to support your local library is to advocate for it, especially in red states where groups like Moms for Liberty are pressuring city councils and state legislatures to ban books. Our patrons are our PR team, so consider doing some things like giving your library a positive review on social media or Google, writing to your legislator about your experiences with the library, and attending a city council or county board meeting to put in a good word on behalf of your library. These seemingly small interactions can convey the unquantifiable benefit of a library on its community. Thank you for standing with libraries!

Election Date: November 3, 2026

What compelled you to run for state office?

I was compelled to run after speaking out against book bans at my local school board meetings—something that unexpectedly resonated far beyond our community. Those moments went viral, but what mattered more was what happened locally. In a largely conservative area, people began reaching out—teachers, parents, librarians—who felt like they had been quietly fighting these battles alone. Together, we built a community rooted in shared values: supporting public schools, respecting educators, and protecting access to information.

We were able to push back successfully at the local level. But here in Tennessee, where there is a Republican supermajority, we then saw state legislators override communities like ours—passing laws that forced book bans, advanced voucher programs that shift funding away from public schools, and imposed policies we had already rejected. That disconnect made it clear to me that local advocacy wasn’t enough. If these decisions are being made at the state level, then that’s where I need to be—to represent communities like mine that have already spoken.

What priorities do you have for the position were you to be elected?

My priorities center on protecting and reinvesting in public education and public institutions. In Tennessee, we’re seeing a continued push toward policies like school vouchers that redirect funding away from public schools and into private systems, often without the same level of accountability. I believe we should be strengthening—not undermining—our public schools and libraries.

I’m also committed to protecting intellectual freedom and ensuring educators and librarians can do their jobs without political interference. That means opposing legislation that makes it harder for teachers to teach honestly or for librarians to serve their communities fully. Just as importantly, I want to restore a sense of respect for local decision-making, so communities are not overruled by state mandates that don’t reflect their values.

Where and how do you feel your background as a librarian prepared you for public office?

My background as a librarian prepared me in ways that go beyond policy—it prepared me for people. Librarians are trained to navigate complexity, evaluate information, and serve diverse communities with fairness and care. That skill set is critical in public office, especially in a climate where misinformation and division can shape policy decisions.

Libraries are also one of the last truly public, shared spaces. Working in that environment taught me how to listen across differences and stay grounded in service. And when challenges like book bans arise, librarians are often on the front lines—balancing legal requirements, community needs, and professional ethics. That experience has given me both the resilience and clarity needed to step into this role.

What would you tell fellow library workers considering a run for political office to encourage them to do it?

I would tell them that their perspective is urgently needed—especially right now. In states like Tennessee, where policy decisions are increasingly affecting what people can read, teach, and access, it matters who is at the table.

Librarians already understand how systems work and where they fail people. You’ve likely already advocated for your community in ways that required courage and persistence. Running for office is simply an extension of that work. If you care about access, equity, and informed communities, your voice belongs in these spaces.

What’s one thing you want the general public to know about libraries and what is one thing that they can do to support their public libraries and public school libraries?

Libraries are about far more than books—they are about access, opportunity, and community stability. In a time when public institutions are being challenged, libraries remain one of the few places where people can freely access information, technology, and support without barriers.

One of the most important things people can do is to be visible in their support. What I learned through our local advocacy is that many people value their libraries and schools, but assume they’re alone. When community members speak up—at meetings, at the ballot box, and in everyday conversations—it not only protects these institutions, it strengthens them.

Current job: Executive Director, Connecticut Library Consortium 2021 – Present

Website/Social Media: ellenforstaterep.com

Election Date: November 3, 2026

What compelled you to run for state office? 

I live in Connecticut because this State matches my values:  respect, integrity, tolerance, equity and opportunity.  Those values, however, are being threatened throughout the country.  I’m running to ensure that Connecticut remains a State where I want to live and that protects my children and all of our children.  I’ve been a librarian for the last 15 years, which I know is not the typical route to public office, but I became a librarian because facts matter.  An informed electorate matters.  Public education and access to opportunity matters.  To be a librarian today is to wake up every day fighting for our first amendment freedoms:  to speak, to read, to think.  These aren’t abstract ideas, they are the foundation of democracy and they are worth fighting to preserve. 

What priorities do you have for the position were you to be elected? 

Education and jobs.  Connecticut is a state with haves and have nots.  Your experience growing up in this state is directly tied to your zip code because our tax policy favors the wealthy and ensures that systemic issues around poverty sustain.  How do we ensure that every child has the world class education that Connecticut promises?    How do we ensure that we have great jobs waiting for all of the residents we’ve educated?  How do we ensure that all of our communities are vibrant places to work and live? 

Where and how do you feel your background as a librarian prepared you for public office?

I feel like everything I’ve done in my career has been leading to this moment.  Right after college I worked for Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2).  He won his first election by 83 votes out of mover than 250,000 cast.  That was a formative experience in understanding how each interaction with a constituent or a patron matters.  Being a library director taught me the inner workings of municipal budgeting and governance.  Being the Executive Director of the Connecticut Library Consortium gave me the experience of running bills in Hartford, forming coalitions, navigating committees and getting bills across the finish line.  Running for State Representative, especially in what feels like the most difficult time in American politics, feels like a natural next step.  I have the capacity and the capability to do this and therefor I have a responsibility to step and serve. 

What would you tell fellow library workers considering a run for political office to encourage them to do it? 

I won’t tell you that this is easy.  I won’t tell you that this doesn’t take time and support and money.  I will tell you that it’s worth it. 

Have faith in yourself, have faith in your message, have faith in your background and in your lived experience.  People will respond to you.  The outpouring of support that I’ve gotten because I am a librarian has been tremendous. 

What’s one thing you want the general public to know about libraries and what is one thing that they can do to support their public libraries and public school libraries?

We can’t do this without you.  Libraries won’t be sustained just by librarians.  I could tell you to get a library card or take out books but that’s not going to save libraries.  Library supporters need to be in all places decisions are made so, you should run for something. Library board, school board, board of finance, town council, state representative, congress.  Run for something. Because if not you, then who?