Election letters

To the editor,

I write to encourage all Maine voters to participate in the upcoming March 5 presidential primary, and encourage those in South Portland’s House District 122 to participate in the special election to fill the House seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Lois Galgay Reckitt. In particular, I encourage support for the candidacy of Matthew Beck, who, when elected, will fill that role with the same passion and commitment to human rights that Lois Reckitt did.

Since 2016, I have worked closely with Matt on the executive committee of South Portland Democrats. As chair, Matt has provided steady, calm, strong leadership, often by example, consistently turning out for meetings, rallies, hearings and canvasses. As a union organizer for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, he worked for decades to protect the rights of employees in a time of unprecedented worker exploitation.

As a state representative, he will do that and more, working tirelessly to promote gun safety and affordable housing, protect abortion rights and equal rights, mitigate climate change and protect natural resources, and address mental health and substance use disorders.

Personally, I know Matt to be utterly honest, unselfish and committed to community, and a loyal and trustworthy friend. I look forward to South Portlanders of District 122 and all citizens of Maine to know him as a state representative of integrity and effectiveness when elected on March 5.

Andrea Thompson McCall

South Portland

To the editor,

After my late wife, Lois Reckitt, began her legislative service, she repeatedly told me and others that she wanted Matt Beck to replace her when she completed her final term.

Lois had known Matt for many years and saw him as having the knowledge, intelligence, work ethic, and compassion for the less fortunate that would make him a worthy successor. He also was a strong supporter of the ERA and LGBTQ+ rights and of her work with domestic abuse survivors. They saw eye-to-eye on pretty much everything.

In fact, when modifications were made to legislative districts after the 2020 census, she told me the first thing she did was to make sure Matt’s house would still be in her district before she told leadership she was OK with the changes.

Matt Beck and Denise raised their three sons in South Portland, but no matter how busy his work and family lives were, we knew we could call on Matt when something needed to be done, such as installing railings and handles to help with mobility issues. Just last summer we called him to help get a chipmunk out of the house. We built barricades and dismantled a radiator cover to get it to move along. We had a good laugh when it scooted out the open door when we weren’t looking.

Matt is a dear friend, a good neighbor and a man of integrity. I agree with Lois that he is the right person to preserve her legacy and carry it forward. Please join me in voting for Matt Beck for the Maine House in South Portland’s special election on Tuesday, March 5.

Lyn Carter

South Portland

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