Angus King III is a Democratic candidate for governor of Maine.

My old friend George Smith, the former leader of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, once met a guy who told him, “George, I think you and I disagree on just about 90% of things.” Without missing a beat, George replied, “Well, then let’s get to work on the 10%!”

George was a great guy. But in that moment, he was also putting into words something so fundamental to America. We can disagree, we can disagree vigorously, and we can even disagree about almost everything, but we have always been able to work on that remaining 10%. And it is there, on those key patches of common ground, that we have found the strongest ties that bind us together as a people, a country and a democracy.

Against that, we’re in a moment that feels pretty divided, maybe beyond repair. The government is shut down while prices go up. Federal workers are being asked to work without pay, health care costs are up while access is down and people who started out hungry are getting less help, not more.

In the face of all this bad news, there are those who are telling us it’s over, our divisions are too deep, and we’ll never be able to solve our most basic challenges. People have begun to give up hope.

But not me. I’ve met thousands of Maine people on this campaign, men and women who are working hard, doing their best and investing in themselves, their families and their communities every day. I know that in each one of them is part of the solution.

Because the problems we face aren’t Downeast problems or lakes region problems. They aren’t rural problems or urban problems. And they sure aren’t red problems or blue problems. They affect all of us, and it’s going to take all of us to fix them. And we can do it, even if we have to start with just 10%.

How would that work? Pretty simple actually. Maybe you’re not with me on how to fix the economy? That’s OK. Let’s work together to make it easier than ever to build housing in Maine and bring that cost down.

We disagree on how to improve our schools? Then why don’t we get to work on cutting red tape and making it easier to grow your business and create good jobs?

How about we dig in on lowering health care costs and then we can duke it out on climate? That’s how I got things done in the housing and energy businesses: using common sense on common ground, bringing people together, then being accountable for the dollars and results. And that’s how I’ll lead as governor of Maine.

Because it’s time to find that 10% and start building a better Maine together. A Maine where you can afford to buy a home in the town where you work. Where you can afford to buy groceries, fill up your gas tank and even afford to get sick. Where you can build a career and a life, and then watch your kids do the same.

And yes, where we stop seeing each other as the reason for all life’s problems, and instead recognize that we — all of us — are the only way we’ll ever solve them.

And you know what? When you do that, suddenly you find that we actually agree on a lot more than just 10%. And once we’re there, we can get a lot done for Maine families, including bringing back real hope.

It may feel pretty far away down in Washington. But I know it’s still possible here in Maine, and I’m excited to get to work. Come join me.