Joseph Pietroski, a 45-year resident of Winthrop and a past president of the Maine Bankers Association, has announced his candidacy for the Maine Senate District 14 seat as an independent, according to a news release from the candidate.

As a former lobbyist with more than 30 years of experience at the State House, Pietroski thinks that now more than ever, the Legislature needs problem solvers, he said in the release.

Following Tuesday’s party primaries, Shenna Bellows, of Manchester, will be the Democratic candidate in the race; and Bryan Cutchen, of West Gardiner, will be the Republican. They will face Pietroski in the Nov. 8 general election for the right to represent the communities of Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, West Gardiner and Winthrop.

The seat is open this year because Sen. Earle McCormick, R-West Gardiner, opted not to seek re-election. The 35-seat Maine Senate is currently controlled by Republicans, but all seats will be up for election in November.

Pietroski, former president of and chief lobbyist for the Maine Bankers Association, and is the legislative and financial manager for the Maine Association of Retirees.

Since 2008, Pietroski has served on the Winthrop Board of Education and, until his resignation recently to seek the Senate seat, he was the consumer representative for four years on the Maine State Board of Pharmacy.

While president of the Maine Bankers Association, Pietroski organized the Maine Higher Education Assistance Foundation, which has provided scholarship assistance for more than 25 years to college students throughout the state.