Election Day is quickly approaching and lawn signs are everywhere. Here in House District 38, we have two very different candidates on the ballot to represent our communities of Brooks, Waldo, Swanville, Jackson, Monroe, Knox, Thorndike, Unity, and western Frankfort.

I’m from Waldo County, but this is my second year in the town of Swanville. The more I learn about our current representative, the more I know our values are not aligned. In looking at some of the legislation he has sponsored this past session, he would like to see more limits on what assistance needy families receive and for how long, that doesn’t sound like Waldo County values. When neighbors fall on hard times, we show up for them and lend a hand, just as they would do for us.

I would like to tell you why I am supporting Steve Ellis for House District 38. Steve is a trained engineer, he’s been a community college teacher, a sailing instructor, and a little league coach. Steve is committed to serving his entire district, focusing on the issues that impact us most. He’s been endorsed by organizations with whom I share values, such as the Maine Education Association, Maine AFL-CIO, MSEA-SEIU, EqualityMaine, and Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund. It’s time we send in the coach.

Cooper Reed lives in Swanville