I firmly believe that Jared Golden is the best candidate to defeat Bruce Poliquin. Golden holds a strong ethic for a duty to serve and walks his talk. A life long Democrat, Jaredwas a professional staff member on the Senate Homeland Security and

Governmental Affairs Committee in DC, served two tours of duty in the mid-east, returning to Afghanistan to volunteer as a school teacher and is now

completing his second term as a Maine House Representative. Success working with peers on both sides of the aisle during his first term earned him his current position as Assistant Majority Leader. Recently, the Maine People's Alliance named him “Legislator of the Year”!

Aside from military service and work in DC, he's the only candidate who has lived his entire life in the Second District. Representing Lewiston, the district's largest city, he was re-elected with a 72 percent majority.

Golden's no stranger to northern Maine or working people's struggles throughout the state. His progressive voting record for labor, healthcare, the environment, people's referendums, veterans, and transparent campaign financing has earned  endorsements from Maine AFL-CIO, Vote Vets, End Citizens United, Maine State Nurses, Maine Machinists and many more. 

I believe Golden is the only candidate with the fortitude to withstand upcoming attacks by the GOP political machine. He's had four years of practice standing up to LePage, including being told that he should be shot! I've heard St. Clair called a trust-funder, carpetbagger, and elitist. It may not be fair, but I'm not  expecting fair play from Poliquin. 

Furthermore, Poliquin's photo ops and lip service to vets can't hold a candle to Golden's military service and tireless work for veterans.

Poliquin's seat is vulnerable. Don't miss this Golden opportunity to flip it. Vote for Jared Golden on June 12! 

Bernice Nadler lives in Montville