This guest column, written by Roy Hitchings, was originally published in the Bangor Daily News.
I believe Hannah Pingree is the best candidate for Maine’s governor. She is a former speaker of the Maine House of Representatives and has a great track record of working with both political parties to actually get things done. As the leader of Maine’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future from 2019 to 2025, she spearheaded key issues including access to child care, affordable housing and responses to the opioid crisis.
As the CEO of Pen Bay Medical Center, I worked with Hannah to expand health insurance for working families and to reduce healthcare costs. She chaired the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, where she fought to expand access to care, protect kids from toxic chemicals, lower prescription drug prices, and strengthen rural health services. As the next governor of Maine, she will work to: expand access to primary, maternity and reproductive healthcare; create a Maine-based, affordable, public health insurance option; strengthen public health and access to scientifically-based vaccines for children and adults; and reduce fraud, waste and abuse.
Hannah has chaired a local school board; managed a small, rural business; and co-chaired the Maine Climate Council. She is both an accomplished and knowledgeable leader and a down-to-earth person who understands the needs of Mainers. She gets us.
Please vote for Hannah for governor. She will improve our health.
