Dear Editor:

If you live in District 47—Alna, Jefferson, Whitefield, or Wiscasset—and haven’t yet met your state representative, I highly recommend doing so before the 2026 silly season of hyperbolic political ads heats up and sends us all running for cover.

Just head on over to the Jefferson Market & General Store, grab a self-serve cup of coffee, ask for owner, proprietor, and your state legislator Wayne Farrin and settle in at one of the homey tables. Whenever he’s not out selling real estate (his other job), he’s happy to talk with constituents. I stopped in with a few neighbors just before the holidays, and an amicable chat with Wayne restored some much-needed hope that common-sense government is still possible. I even managed to finish some last-minute Christmas shopping and groceries while I was there.

So what has Wayne been up to in Augusta? It turns out—quietly—quite a lot. He’s been working on kitchen-table issues that matter to regular Mainers, including affordable housing, access to health care, and protecting small businesses from excessive credit card fees. He’s also knowledgeable about fishing issues and coastal economies, having spent many years as a marine engineer, and currently serves on our Marine Resources Committee in addition to the State and Local Government Committee.

In short, Wayne Farrin is doing the often-unseen work of cutting through political rhetoric to deliver meaningful results for our towns. 

Consider this letter a three-fer—a thank-you for Rep. Farrin’s work in 2024–2025, an endorsement of his run in 2026, and a plug for a terrific local small business. And if you do stop by his store, I recommend the breadsticks with pizza sauce—they’re delicious.

Bridget Mullen

Alna