It is unfortunate that state Sen.-elect Tom Sawyer resorted to negative campaign tactics to win a seat in the Maine Legislature. Sawyer’s misleading mailings during the final days prior to the election casting blame on Rep. Jane Saxl for nonexistent debt, accusing her of excessive spending and claiming “she’ll tax you to death and beyond” were in very poor taste and judgment.

Saxl’s son will be the speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. What are the chances any legislation proposed by Bangor’s new senator will make it through the House? Moreover, Jane Saxl’s leadership in the Legislature resulted in the creation of a patient’s bill of rights, the Consumer Division of the Bureau of Insurance as well as many other measures that protect Mainers. She deserved better than negative campaign advertisements produced at a time too late in the campaign to allow for an effective response. James M. Moore, Esq. Bangor