Dear Editor:

My mother always said, "You're known by the company you keep.” So in the wisdom and spirit of my mother’s advice, I'm asking my Republican representatives, Rep. Stephanie Hawke of the Maine House and Senator Susan Collins of the U.S. Senate, to make a simple yes or no statement regarding Republican primary candidate Donald Trump.

I simply want to know: Do you support Donald Trump? We've all heard Mr. Trump’s statements, we know what company he keeps, and we know the types of people and groups he associates with.

I don't want my elected officials to give me any stock answer about following the wishes of the Republican party or its members. Mr. Trump’s candidacy raises real issues of morality and democracy that speak to our personal values more than any major party candidate has in my memory.

So it is, Rep. Hawke and Sen. Collins, that you truly need to make your personal position on this man known publicly, and to that end, I'm asking you here in this letter that is also being sent to you personally.

I share the view of many that to not make a statement regarding Mr. Trump is to support him by default. So I repeat Rep. Hawke and Sen. Collins: do you support Donald Trump?

Earl Leavitt
East Boothbay