Dear Editor:

Individuals who campaign for elected office must be good listeners and, if elected, act in smart and strategic ways on the collective themes they have heard. A dedicated commitment to listen to the people you are going to represent, understand fully their challenges, and to have the ability to figure out policy actions to help lessen those challenges is a must, no exceptions.

Finding a politician who does this kind of listening and then actually follows through by working with others, often across the aisle with fellow legislators, is rare. Sen. Chris Johnson is that unique, special, attentive, hardworking and smart legislator, who does listen to his constituents and works in a bipartisan manner. Simply put, we need to return Chris to Augusta to represent us and to be a force in getting work done for you, for me, and for our neighbors. He has a good record of doing just that — getting ideas on the table and gathering together bipartisan support.

Let me share an example. I work in education policy. This year the Maine Legislature, with Chris’s strong involvement, passed a bill to expand the availability of public pre-K programs. Respected studies on projected cost-savings in states that have taken this step are available. Likewise the problem of debt load carried by Maine college graduates, now averaging about $30,000, is another example where he is learning more about issues raised by constituents and working to put policy solutions in place. Chris is an exceptional state senator.

C. Jean Moon
Damariscotta