For 35 years, I have had the privilege of walking the halls of the State House as a paid advocate for a variety of interests. During that time, I have witnessed the best aspects of a citizen Legislature, and some of the worst.

Unfortunately, recent years have brought a significant increase in partisanship, much of it driven by ideology (on both sides of the aisle) that makes it difficult to collaborate and compromise. It wasn’t always like this.

I believe that electing legislators who are more interested in finding solutions than in partisan one-upmanship will serve Maine’s interests well.

That is why I am voting for Republican Scott Davis for representative of District 82 (Winthrop and Readfield). Like his father before him, I believe that Scott has the temperament and the business background to be an outstanding state representative.

Gordon H. Smith

East Winthrop