Channel 2's Oct. 8 2nd Congressional District Candidate Debate made one point perfectly clear. Will Hoar, Tiffany Bond, and Jared Golden understand what life for the middle and working classes is like in rural Maine. Bruce Poliquin seems to only understand how to use name calling and crowing about alleged successes for our welfare. Despite low unemployment statistics, residents I meet are still struggling due to insufficient salaries and wages.

I have had the privilege of working with Sue Mackey Andrews as a member of Helping Hands with Heart. I have seen first hand her commitment to families and children. She has worked tirelessly to bring awareness and education on topics that directly impact our area including poverty and childhood trauma.

In the upcoming elections, Maine will again make history by using Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives races. RCV is simply a runoff voting system for races with more than two candidates done through one efficient ballot. It is completely non-partisan, and it is one person, one ranked-choice vote. RCV further empowers voters and gives us winners who better reflect the will of the people.

I’d like to correct the record and assure every voter in Senate District 4 that I support ALL of the 26 Amendments to our Constitution, including the 2nd Amendment, our right to keep and bear arms. I have no interest in taking anyone else’s guns; we have our own. If you know me, you know that this is true.

I am writing in support of Sue Mackey Andrews for State Senate District 4. I am known to wear “many hats” in the community, but Sue has me beat by a long shot!

Last night Oct. 1, the residents and travelers on West Main Street and other locales were treated to a peaceful softly lit streetscape, stars could be seen, and a new ambience was created. It was relaxing and a nice way to end a day. What was different than the previous day? The new street lights were installed and ignited.

After great consideration I am supporting Jared Golden, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress.

For 45 years the federal Endangered Species Act has been the vehicle that has prevented scores of species of rare plants and animals from becoming extinct. At the same time, it has provided an opportunity for additional species struggling to maintain their numbers to not slip into the endangered category.

I have known Paul Davis for many years. I have worked with him in the law enforcement field during both of our careers. Paul is a fair and honest man and I am proud to call him my friend.

Sue Mackey Andrews has a keen ability to listen to people. She connects with people from all walks of life, of all ages, and of many opinions. As a senator for District 4, Piscataquis County, Sue will take the worth hearing stories of local folks to Augusta where educating and feeding healthy children and grandchildren are to be promoted for making policies.

Sue Mackey Andrews vs. Paul Davis. I have known Sue Mackey Andrews for many years. She is a hard worker, and I believe she cares deeply for the people of our community. Unfortunately, she was in favor of the gun bill that Bloomberg tried to ram through the last election

I have lived in Piscataquis County for 28 years. In this length of time I have seen the county regress, not prosper. Guilford, the town I live in, is not in good shape. Almost half the houses are vacant or in need of repair.

Despite working 12-hour shifts at the paper mill six days a week, for four years I would regularly drive the 45 miles to my elderly mother’s house to prepare her meals, serving some fresh and freezing the rest. I don’t regret a mile or minute of it, but there’s no doubt her having outside help would have made life easier.

As a summer resident of Bowerbank, yet registered to vote in Hermon, I feel so strongly that Sue Mackey Andrews is the right person to be the senator of District 4 and I wanted to share my knowledge about her work.

Sue Mackey Andrews is running for State Senate District 4 from the town that I was born in, Dover-Foxcroft. She is offering her personal sacrifice to get to know the needs and concerns of people across her district.

Friends of Moosehead, good morning from the shores of beautiful Moosehead Lake as dawn pierces the night sky my eyes penetrate through the treetops in search of the sun not to be seen on this overcast morning as clouds engulf America’s Crown Jewel.

It’s time for a change in leadership. I’ve walked with Sue Mackey Andrews as she’s knocked on doors in Brownville. She listens to people’s concerns because she cares and wants to help. Sue will work tirelessly for us as she’s always done. Please give her a chance to become our next state senator. You won’t be sorry.

Northern Piscataquis County is highly dependent on the Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital in Greenville, and U.S. Sen. Angus King has made sure it remains well-funded and operational. In 2017, he voted against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, thus ensuring that the hospital -- our county’s fifth largest employer -- continues to receive the federal support it needs to carry on strong.