To the Editor:

The residents of New Gloucester, Durham and part of Lisbon have the opportunity to elect a highly qualified candidate to send to the Maine House.

Nichole Stevens will be ready to “hit the ground running” as our voice in Augusta.

Nichole grew up in rural Maine and started working at a young age to pay for college. She knows the struggles of everyday Mainers because she has lived those struggles.

Stevens has spent a decade in the business world in a professional capacity and serves on New Gloucester’s Economic Development Committee. In addition, she’s been a Big Sister volunteer for many years. As a small-business owner, she understands firsthand the challenges small businesses confront and will be a strong advocate for them.

Nichole has been proactively formulating ideas to spur economic growth in Maine and is eager to collaborate with her colleagues from both parties to move Maine’s economy in the right direction.

Stevens’ opponent supported the health insurance reform effort that we now know has resulted in rate increases for 90 percent of Maine’s small businesses, has undermined consumer protections and has made it easier for insurance companies to raise rates unchecked.

She also voted for the tax cut package that primarily rewarded the wealthiest Mainers, while leaving the most vulnerable in without critical services.

Stevens’ positive, can-do attitude, her ease with people and her willingness to work hard to achieve what’s important to the people of Maine make her the best choice in November. We can count on her to help restore respect for the democratic process at the State House. She will be a highly effective legislator who will represent us well.

Mary Ann Larson
New Gloucester