FALMOUTH — Republican Patricia Kirby on Monday confirmed she has decided to withdraw from the Maine House of Representatives election in District 112 because of a heart condition.

“I have a health issue that came up and I have been advised by the doctors not to increase my stress in any way,” Kirby, 63, said.

She said the condition is believed to have re-emerged because of the stress of the campaign.

“I had a heart attack 11 years ago. It was very sudden, very sporadic and had never been a problem,” she said. “I had open-heart surgery six years ago and have been in great health (since then).”

Kirby’s replacement on the ballot will challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Mary P. Nelson, who has held the seat since 2008.

The Falmouth Republican Town Committee, which has until July 23 to choose another candidate, will caucus on Thursday, July 5, at 7 p.m. in Town Council Chambers. Anyone interested in running in Kirby’s place, or participating in candidate selection, is encouraged to attend.

Now that she is not running for office, Kirby said she plans to help other candidates in the area get into office.

“I plan to go to the Republican meeting on Thursday night and talk and see who we’re going to get to run in my place,” she said.

Amber Cronin can be reached at acronin@theforecaster.net or 781-3661 ext. 125. Follow her on Twitter @croninamber.

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