[L]ondonderry Town Clerk Kelly MacLaury Pajala has been selected by Gov. Phil Scott to fill the House seat vacated this month by Rep. Oliver Olsen, I-Londonderry.
Pajala, also an independent, had said in October that she would seek the post, after Olsen announced he would step down because of increased business commitments.
The Windham-Bennington-Windsor House district serves the towns of Jamaica, Londonderry, Stratton, Weston and Winhall.
Pajala has been town clerk in Londonderry since 2012 and previously served as assistant town clerk in Weston. She also owned a business, Dancing Hands Creations, and has participated in volunteer activities, including as the Londonderry Parks Board chairwoman and a member of the Weston Planning Commission.
“I am so honored to receive this appointment from Gov. Scott and for the opportunity to serve the people of the district where I’ve spent most of my life, getting to know the people, challenges and strengths of this region,” Pajala said in a statement. “My years of service with the town have taught me it’s more important to listen than speak, to approach challenges with an open mind and to always be respectful.”
Pajala said she grew up in Weston and graduated from Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, later earning a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies from Skidmore College.
She has listed economic development, affordability and the protection of school choice as key policy priorities.
Olsen, who won re-election in 2016, cited business commitments in his decision not to seek another term.
He said increasing professional responsibilities made it difficult to balance his job with his family life and the time demands of representing his district. Olsen said he works for a large multinational software company and has been asked “to take on additional responsibilities over the past year.”
Olsen was appointed to fill a vacancy in the House district in 2010 and was elected that November to a full term. He didn’t run in 2012 but returned to run successfully in 2014.
