This November, I am voting for Sen. Susan Collins because she demonstrates that she is an independent thinker driven by common sense rather than what her party dictates.

The last thing we need in Congress is another partisan like Shenna Bellows, who would be a party-line voter. It is easy to toe the party line.

What America needs now are true statesmen and women senators who will put their constituents ahead of political dogma. As an example, Susan showed her independence by helping to head the bipartisan effort to repeal the military’s discriminatory, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. She also helped bring together a group of centrist senators and laid the foundation that eventually became the compromise that re-opened the federal government.

I urge my fellow Mainers to join me in returning Collins to Washington where our country needs her.

Janis Cross

Hallowell