Building a better future for Maine while raising her family, Libby Mitchell made public service her life’s work. She invested time and energy over many years to make Maine a better place for all of us to live.

Through changes brought by recessions, she focused on the everlasting values of education for citizens, opportunity for small business, and preservation of our natural resources.

She helped change the workers’ compensation system; she championed education at all levels; she fought to preserve land while promoting energy independence and Maine’s natural resource economy.

Never complaining when times got tough, she dug in to move the state forward again.

Anxiety and anger must not be allowed to rule. We can’t afford to outsource more jobs or sell off our natural assets. Job creation and economic growth need long-term vision, with patient, proven and persistent leadership.

Maine needs Libby Mitchell as governor.

Neria Douglass, Auburn

Editor’s note: Neria Douglass has served as Maine state auditor since 2005.