I was at a meeting the other night and I had the good fortune to be introduced to Laura Fortman, candidate for State Senate in District 13, which includes most of Lincoln County.

 

I was heartened by Laura’s genuine interest in me and her responses to my questions.  I’ve spoken to friends and associates who concur.  This is Laura Fortman: genuine, attentive, no-nonsense, forthright.

 

I sensed, “Here is a woman who will fight for all Mainers – and especially those who can’t fight for themselves.”  I did some research.  Her tireless work as an advocate for women delivered impressive results for all Mainers during her leadership of the Maine Women’s Lobby and the Maine Women’s Policy Center.  She helped to enact Maine’s Equal Pay Act and Maine’s Parents as Scholars initiatives, which offers opportunities for economically-challenged Maine residents to access higher education.  She also helped win approval of unemployment insurance protection for part-time workers and for victims of violence.

 

Laura served as Commissioner, Maine Department of Labor, 2003 to 2011, in the John Baldacci administration, supervising the department’s 490 employees and continuing her efforts in support of Maine’s workers.  In June 2013 the Barack Obama administration called her to Washington to serve a stint as a deputy administrator in the U.S. Department of Labor.

 

Laura’s work is not done.  She has the experience, the legislative savvy, and the determination to work with anyone who will help her improve lives of Mainers.  Her priorities will be decent, affordable housing for Maine seniors, and real, quality, and affordable healthcare for all.  And she is committed to protecting that one commodity that each person in the state relies on with every breath – our environment.

 

We’re lucky to have a candidate as well-qualified, battle-tested, and hardworking as Laura Fortman running to represent the Midcoast.

 

Geoffrey Bates

South Bristol