I have concerns after hearing the announcement that Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy is retiring.

The Republican Party made it clear in 2016 after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia that hearings on Supreme Court nominees should not be held during a critical election year. It is very hypocritical for the party to now push for hearings immediately upon Kennedy’s announcement when this is also clearly a critical election year.

These kinds of actions demonstrate, not only to the American people but also to the entire world community that is watching America intently, that politicians in this country can no longer be counted on to do the right thing.

I urge Sen. Susan Collins to do the right thing and stick to the rule that the Republican Party created. If this agenda is pushed forward during this election, I will no longer be in the Republican Party come November.

Justin Vigeant

Topsham