The people of Waldo County need someone who will represent all of us back home, not just those from their own political party. That’s why I am proud to support my friend and colleague, Jayne Crosby Giles, for Maine Senate to represent Waldo County.

Jayne has served in the Maine Legislature before and was a member of the Appropriations Committee which is responsible for writing the state budget. During her time in office, she always demonstrated an ability and willingness to work with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to get things done.

Jayne’s brand of independent thinking and good old-fashioned Maine pragmatism are precisely what we need in today’s hyper-partisan political environment.

She has also proven herself in the private sector as a small business lender and banker, and as the CEO of MaineStream Finance which provides loans and financial services to businesses in rural Maine. The US Small Business Administration named her the Financial Services Champion for Maine and New England and she is also a past recipient of the Women Business Advocate Award for Maine.

It is difficult to imagine a public servant who is more qualified to serve the people of Waldo County.

Term limits prevent me from running for the Senate again, but we should all be thrilled that we have someone of Jayne’s caliber ready to step in and be an effective advocate for Waldo County. Please join me in voting for Jayne Crosby Giles on November 6.

Senate President Mike Thibodeau lives in Winterport