Not shocking: Jill Barkley will run for office

Domestic-violence and GLBT-equality activist/organizer Jill Barkley is running for Maine representative; she'll offiically announce her candidacy at the North Star on Sunday (and yes, PPH commenter, the North Star is actually JUST within her hopeful district lines). The 28-year-old, who works as public awareness and policy coordinator at the Maine Coaltion to End Domestic Violence, hoping to represent District 119, a compact zone that covers downtown/Parkside/Bayside and is currently served by longtime politician Herb Adams (his term is up this year). Barkley's announcement comes as a surprise to few; she's positioned herself as a visible, active, professional and accessible organizer in Portland.