I was supporting Gov. Janet Mills for U.S. Senate. On the occasion of her withdrawal from the race, I wish to commend her on her incredible environmental leadership.

Mills will be remembered as a champion for measures effectively fighting climate change. What’s at stake from climate change? Maine’s fishery, valued over $619 million; tourism and recreation employing 58% of the state’s marine economy; and $6 billion in estimated value of coastal real estate sold in the last year alone. 

Mills has a robust track record on clean energy jobs, heat pump and water heater installation, home weatherization, infrastructure resilience measures and a meaningful reduction in homes burning oil.

“The Grinch” stole the national investment in a clean energy transition, but that hasn’t stopped the clean energy transition from happening. It is happening in fully 194 (out of 198 U.N. members) countries in the world which signed on to the Paris Climate Accord. And it is happening in states like Maine, where Maine Won’t Wait, the state’s climate plan, is aligned with the Paris Climate Accord. Thanks to Janet Mills’ leadership, we are paddling in the same direction.

Unfortunately, we cannot vote for Mills for U.S. Senate representing Maine. I still want it on the record that she has served Maine incredibly well.

Julia Bassett Schwerin
Cape Elizabeth