đź“°OLD ORCHARD BEACH | Kenneth Blow Announces Run for State Representative | District 131
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
Contributed Story, Kenneth Blow Campaign
April 7, 2026, Kenneth Blow, a 63-year-old Independent and longtime Old Orchard Beach town councilor, has announced his candidacy for State Representative in District 131. Running as an unenrolled candidate, Blow plans to fund a traditional campaign without accepting outside donations.
“I don’t believe we need to be taking sides and pointing fingers at each other,” Blow said. “That’s what’s happening now in Augusta, and it’s not helping hard-working families who are struggling just to pay their bills.”
While this marks his first run for state office, Blow brings decades of public service and a lifelong connection to Old Orchard Beach.
“I know all too well the real challenges people in our community are facing,” he said. “It’s getting harder to make ends meet. State spending is out of control, and people are being taxed more and more. I find that unacceptable.”
Blow has served 13 years on the Old Orchard Beach Town Council and 10 years on the Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach Transit District board. His additional service includes time on the Maine Water Advisory Board, five years as president of the Libby Memorial Library Board, and two years on the Old Orchard Beach Planning Board. He was also recently appointed by York County Sheriff William King to the Board of Visitors, a citizen oversight committee for the sheriff’s department.
“I believe in giving back to the community,” Blow said. “That’s one of my core values.”
Blow is also a business owner. Alongside his brothers, and partners, Archie and Paul St. Hilaire, he helped grow Blow Bros./BBI from a small, family-run operation into a company with multiple locations across Maine and New Hampshire, employing more than 120 people. He now owns and operates Seacoast RV in Saco.
“I understand what it’s like to lie awake at night worrying about making payroll,” Blow said. “Not many politicians today have that experience or understand how difficult it is to run a business in Maine.”
Blow’s perspective is shaped by his upbringing. He recalls a childhood where his family relied on food assistance, and his father patched winter jackets with duct tape.
“I’ve been fortunate, and my hard work has paid off,” he said. “But I know what it’s like to struggle and live paycheck to paycheck.”
Blow has been critical of recent tax policies in Augusta.
“It seems like some lawmakers never met a tax they didn’t like,” he said. “They’re always finding new ways to dig deeper into people’s pockets—even taxing things like streaming services that families rely on for affordable entertainment.”
As an Independent, Blow says he will prioritize representing his community over party politics.
“I won’t be beholden to any political party,” he said.
He also emphasized that he will fully fund his own campaign and will not accept contributions from individuals or businesses, knowing how both are struggling in today’s economy.
“People can trust that what you see is what you get,” Blow said.
Blow expressed pride in the strong performance of Old Orchard Beach schools but raised concerns about declining test scores statewide and funding formulas that disadvantage communities with higher property values.
“Bottom line—we need change in Augusta,” he said. “We need common-sense leadership. I believe I’m the right person for the job, and I’m going to work hard to show our community there’s a better way forward.”
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