During the more than 20 years I worked on the staffs of Sen. Edmund Muskie and George Mitchell, we were always on the lookout for talented new people who were idealistically attracted to public issues and public life. Dozens of them became outstanding judges, legislators, town and city managers and other public servants. Many of them were women.

This year, I became acquainted with two state Senate candidates who remind me of those past successes. Elizabeth Schneider of Orono and Jane Cronk of Hampden are two of the most energetic, dedicated and intelligent candidates I have known. They are tireless workers who are fully committed to always responding to any citizen who has a problem, question or point of view.

I urge voters to contact them so that they may learn for themselves that these two are indeed women with the qualities we hope for when we elect our leaders of tomorrow.

Clyde MacDonald

Hampden