This guest column, written by Sen. Denise Tepler was originally published in the Central Maine.
For Maine governor, I am excited to vote for Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former House Speaker Hannah Pingree. Maine Democrats are lucky to have two incredibly talented and experienced women running for our governor. I plan on ranking Shenna and Hannah as my top two.
When women lead, economies respond. States with women governors consistently rank higher on economic stability, workforce participation and education investment. Women in executive office prioritize the policies that keep families financially secure: childcare, paid leave, equal pay, workforce development.
When women lose access to reproductive healthcare, they lose jobs, income and educational opportunities. With men emerging as the likely Democratic candidates in the U.S. Senate and 2nd Congressional District races, we are shaping a statewide ticket that will define our party’s priorities and values. It would be a serious mistake not to have one of these talented women at the top of that ticket.
