We owe it to our state and our country to defeat Susan Collins this fall, but be wary of the potential costs of doing so. 

When a candidate has no legislative history for voters to refer to, we must look at the totality of their character for clues on how they will behave with power. 

Graham Platner’s history of racism, rape apologia, homophobic slurs, glorification of mass violence, his doublespeak on lobbyist money and his nebulous explanation of his Totenkopf tattoo tells me his character is not worthy of a Senate seat. 

These are not things any liberal would excuse out of Donald Trump or JD Vance, so why are we expected to look the other way when a new charismatic outsider candidate comes along whom we agree with?

Janet Mills has a long record of progressive accomplishments, including strengthening Family and Medical Leave Act protections, and she famously stood up to Donald Trump at a time when many sought to appease him. The ageism and misogyny present in criticisms of her candidacy are unbecoming of our party and our state.

As a voter, I’m choosing to stay the course: let’s bring back decency and choose character. Let’s choose our governor to be the one to send Susan Collins packing this fall — without sacrificing our shared progressive values in the process.

Adam Bonville
Saco