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In their responses to a March 30 New York Times article “How a Democratic Battle in Maine Is Challenging the Idea of Political Risk,” many Mainers complained that they are faced with only two flawed choices to challenge Sen. Susan Collins for her senatorial seat. Graham Platner, young and energetic, is inexperienced and has committed a number of gaffes. Janet Mills, seasoned and feisty, is at an age when health can fail. There is another choice in the coming primary: writing-in Andrea LaFlamme.
I believe this progressive Democrat’s experience outpaces Platner’s. From a military family, she has a masters’ degree in public health, and has taught nutrition, women’s health, and health economics/equity/policy at the college and community levels. She’s an elected union leader, actively representing adjunct professors at all of Maine’s community colleges.
Like Mills, she’s dynamic and public-spirited; unlike Mills, she’s still in her thirties. She’s a feminist, an educator, an advocate for the under-represented, and a dedicated public health advocate. Raised in a farming community in Maine, she can relate to Mainers of all kinds.
Those who despair of having a viable choice in this race should consider writing in Andrea LaFlamme as their Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.
Anne Lichtenwalner
Orono
