A former 30-year state worker announced Tuesday that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.

John M. Glowa Sr. of South China, 67, worked as an environmental specialist for the Department of Environmental Protection until his retirement in 2016. In a press release announcing his campaign, he emphasized the need to reform government.

“We teach our children in school that ours is a government of, by, and for the people,” he wrote. “When they get older and try to effect social change, they learn that ours is a government of, by, and for itself and special interests.”

Glowa is co-founder of The Maine Wolf Coalition Inc., which works to bring wolves back to the state. He has twice run for the Legislature, but was defeated both times.

Glowa is the first declared Democratic candidate for governor, although Gov. Janet Mills is expected to run for re-election. On the Republican side, former Gov. Paul LePage, J. Martin Vachon and Michael S. Heath are listed as candidates, according to the Maine Ethics Commission. Michael T. Barden is listed as a Green Independent candidate.