I am a registered Republican in Searsport. I've always been a Republican, and so has my family through generations. I am finding that with more extremism, I'm what is called today a "moderate" Republican because I still follow and believe in the old idea about being compassionate and taking care of those people who can not do it for themselves. And that is the Christian belief that Jesus Christ also taught us. I do not like swearing, tirades, bullying, or vulgarity. I believe in treating people with respect and dignity.

I do not know Mike Thibodeau from sitting with him in the Legislature. Nor have I had the pleasure of watching him grow up as a young man to the person he has become today. Some of the people in Waldo County know me, and many do not. Therefore I would like to make some personal observations about Mike.

Mike didn't want to impeach LePage as he said it would be a three-ring circus. He's right, it already is a three-ring circus and the Legislature needed to take measured steps before impeachment. Furthermore, Mike has already reached across the aisle to the Democrats and also with his Republican Party to make sure things got done in Augusta in spite of the conduct and temperament of our governor.

Mike is cool-headed, thinks things through, and then acts. He is decisive and does not alienate people. Every time I have met him, or have seen him in action, or read about the deep love he has for his Waldo County and family, I am amazed at his strong leadership and the example he sets for all of us.

Having said that, we’ve all heard about Jonathan Fulford running as a Clean Elections candidate. Yes, and I also understand that Jon is a good person, too. But, I would like to know how does it happen that Jonathan Fulford is receiving the attention of and $50,000 from a group in Oakland, California? Progressive Maine located at 1904 Franklin St., Suite 725, in Oakland, California, is supporting Fulford in the race to defeat Sen. Mike Thibodeau, and the group is specifically targeting the communities of Belfast and Winterport in my Waldo County.

The reality is that big-time money is sweeping into Maine to influence our races. Maine! I can understand it targeting the the big northern states, but now they have discovered Maine!

Maine candidates have traditionally produced their own advertising campaigns, but in recent years outside issue groups have been getting in on the action. These advocacy groups frequently have ties to big business and super-wealthy individuals and their identity is not disclosed in the reports required by political candidates. Unlike political committees, they can accept unlimited contributions from just about anyone, and they spend that money in various ways to influence elections. All that out-of-state money coming into our county makes me wonder why! So there seems to be a dark horse in the race for the Waldo County Senate seat, and it isn’t Sen. Thibodeau.

I will be voting for Mike Thibodeau, our local politician this November.

Why? You already know why. He is a leader, he heads our Senate in Augusta as president of the Senate. He has a great family and a new grandson! He deeply cares for our veterans and for so many people in Maine. He supports our Waldo County Habitat for Humanity, the Waldo County YMCA, our Searsport Historical Society, the Katahdin Area Council Scouting programs and activities, and businesses both large and small. That's only a very small sample of groups and organizations that Mike is a part of or has joined, or supports.

No, I'm the little "guy" here in the papers. I support Mike because he is also kind and decent and does things the right way. That gets my vote everytime. I vote for the individual; I vote for good character. It doesn't get any better than that.

Dorothy Alling lives in Searsport