One of the greatest benefits of ranked-choice voting is that it removes the “spoiler effect.” Ranked-choice voting will be used in the general election for U.S. Senate. Voting for Democratic candidate Zak Ringelstein as your first choice carries no risk of putting Republican Eric Brakey in office – you can still vote for independent Angus King as your second choice. If we are serious about sending representation to Congress that will consistently fight the Trump administration’s agenda, we have every opportunity to do that with Zak Ringelstein.

Here are some – not all – of the Trump appointees Sen. Angus King has voted for: Kirstjen Nielsen, Mike Pompeo, Alex Azar, R. Alexander Acosta, Sonny Perdue, Rick Perry, Ben Carson, Ryan Zinke, Wilbur L. Ross Jr., Linda E. McMahon, Rex Tillerson, Elaine Chao and Nikki Haley.

When you approve the vast majority of a Cabinet such as this and then attempt to speak against that administration’s actions, your words ring hollow. King votes in line with Donald Trump’s agenda nearly 50 percent of the time. Among the largest industry sectors contributing to his campaign committee are finance, insurance and real estate. This does not represent my interests or those of the Mainers I know.

Zak Ringelstein backs up his vision of a just world with action. His campaign takes no corporate or political action committee money. He has shown that he is a fighter willing to take risks for standing up for what he believes is right. You know what you’re getting with him. And, while I do not expect to agree with a candidate or lawmaker 100 percent of the time, I do want consistency, predictability and, above all, integrity in those I vote for.

Ringelstein will get first place on my November ballot. King will be a distant second.

Carla White

South Thomaston

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