I am writing in support of an impressive young woman, Elsie Flemings, who is running for the District 35 legislative seat. My first reaction to her candidacy was that her keen intelligence and grasp of issues would make her an excellent legislator. I was, however, concerned that her youth might put her at a disadvantage working with more experienced legislators.

When she spoke at the caucuses in February, my reservations were put firmly to rest. She spoke with strength and confidence and was very well-received by the crowd.

Elsie has more experience in the area of public service than I realized, and people should be aware of this as they make their choices at the voting booth on June 10. A longtime member of the Hancock County Dems, Elsie was a community organizer in local elections in 2005 and 2006, a congressional legislative aid, member of the Maine State Citizen Trade Policy Commission, sole U.S. youth representative at the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development and National Secretary of SustainUS.

I firmly believe Elsie’s relative youth (she is 25, Hannah Pingree’s age when elected) along with experience, strength of character and a keen desire to protect and improve District 35 will make her an ideal candidate. I enthusiastically encourage folks to get out on June 10 and vote for Elsie Flemings for state representative.

Bobbie Lynn Hutchins

Bar Harbor