With four years of experience in Congress, Rep. Tom Allen has distinguished himself in his service to Maine and set an impressive course to become a leading voice on national issues. The 1st Congressional District of Maine is fortunate to have such a skilled and attentive lawmaker and should re-elect him Nov. 7

Rep. Allen set a bipartisan tone early in his career by joining with GOP Rep. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas to craft sensible campaign-finance reform. Since then, he has found support among Republicans for bills that he has introduced on cleaning up power plants, reducing mercury and providing incentives for math and science teachers. On other issues, notably prescription-drug prices, Rep. Allen has taken the lead and found state governments, including Maine’s, eager to follow his example.

His support for early childhood education and child care, his work to fight Big Tobacco and his sponsorship of a Patients’ Bill of Rights have had both national and local benefit. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, his work on the procurement subcommittee is of importance to military contractors in Maine, particularly Bath Iron Works.

It is the Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act, however, that he has most marked his second term. This proposal would have the federal government negotiate lower prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients, much as it does for veterans and as private health-maintenance organizations do for their members. Having the federal government act like a private business in health care is not a new idea, but ensuring that drugs are affordable to millions of senior citizens through government negotiation is a bold antidote to the growing problem of rising drug prices.

Rep. Allen has employed a high degree of energy and ingenuity to bring this option to the public. His use of studies that show the disparity of prices between Maine and Canada, between the United States and Mexico and between drugs for human consumption and those same drugs for animals has taken an underlying unfairness in the complex system of drug prices and exposed it in a way that is immediately understandable, thus making his plan a popular alternative to the current Washington gridlock on the issue. It is the kind of energy he would apply to future issues important to Maine.

State Sen. Jane Amero, his main opponent, has run a credible race and she has demonstrated an able grasp of the issues. She has also, unfortunately, mischaracterized Rep. Allen and his record through more than one campaign commercial. Her slurs may have gained her a few points in the polls, but have done little to help voters understand the issues or gain faith in the political process. Rep. Allen’s high-road response to these attacks are both welcome and a further indication of his integrity.

Tom Allen has built record in Congress that Maine can take pride in. He has represented his district and the state well and his work promises even more in the future. He deserves to be enthusiastically returned to office.