Ever since Senator Angus King publicly questioned whether Donald Trump had the right temperament to be president, I’ve been taking a close look at candidates’ temperaments. 

Arthur Durity’s excellent letter suggesting we vote for Josh Gerritsen as Camden / Rockport’s next State House Representative credits Josh with all the traits I’m looking for aside from one: There’s no mention of temperament.

Fortunately, I have been somewhat acquainted with Josh since his college years and can attest that, based on my personal experiences, and what I’ve learned from others, Josh has the temperament I’m desiring in someone who will represent me, our towns, and our issues in Augusta. 

I clearly remember the summer I saw Josh and another fellow college student on Camden’s Main Street sitting behind card tables with bobble heads of the two presidential candidates running for election that year. The sign invited people to stop by and talk about the candidates, and many accepted the invitation to discuss their own choices and reasons. 

The conversations were respectful, spirited, and humorous at times. I don’t recall that the fellows were particularly partisan; the young men were there to listen. To me this showed some real initiative and was a creative, sincere and quite brilliant way to establish and participate in civic dialog while perhaps encouraging people to make more informed decisions come November. 

My estimation of Josh’s temperament was formed that day, and nothing that I’ve seen, heard or read about him has in any way changed my mind. In these political times, temperament counts!

Mary Orear lives in Rockport