Adam and Diana Lee live in Cumberland.

Gov. Mills, you are still our hero.

We feel terrible that you have decided to withdraw from the race for U.S. Senate, but we understand. You are still our hero, with a track record that may never be matched.

Not only were you the first woman to serve as district attorney in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties, you were also the first and only woman to be attorney general in the state of Maine and, of course, the first woman governor in the state.

These accomplishments stand out not only because it was groundbreaking every time you won another race, but because it sent a message to everyone in Maine and beyond: doors that historically were not open to women were suddenly wide open. Young women everywhere deserve a role model who demonstrates that they, too, can do any job they set their mind to.

We’re proud of everything you accomplished for the people of Maine, starting with expanding healthcare to cover an additional 100,000 people and reducing the rate of uninsured people to a lower rate than any other state.

You led us through the pandemic with the second lowest fatality rate and one of the highest vaccination rates in the nation. On education, you managed to fully fund our schools for the very first time while also raising teachers’ minimum salaries. And to top it off, you made community college free, giving all Mainers an opportunity to go to college and graduate without debt.

Your record on the economy has also been stellar. Our unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the nation, and has been for over 50 consecutive months. Over the last eight years, our economy has been the strongest in New England, with our growth in your last term exceeding the growth in the last 15 years.

We came out of the pandemic with a booming economy, and while we are facing headwinds from high inflation, and high gas prices from an ill-conceived war in Iran, our economy remains strong. You also have rebuilt our rainy day fund to almost $1 billion.

To top all of this off, you invested in childcare, housing, healthcare and broadband expansion.

We know that you and your entire family have been dedicated public servants going back generations. Your father, a prominent Republican, became the U.S. attorney for the District of Maine and fought for civil rights throughout his career.

When we look back on your career and the mark you left on Maine, we see one of the finest governors our state has ever had; a governor who accomplished more in eight years than any governor before her.