Letters to the Editor
Support for Ben Chipman for the June 14th Primary
Ben Chipman has my enthusiastic support to be our next state senator. There are many reasons why: he’s thoughtful; he listens; he’s responsive to his constituents; he’s extremely hard working; he’s an effective and respected legislator.
Ben Chipman speaks to save India Street public health clinic in May 2016.
To me, the principled approach he takes to public service is most saliently reflected in the fact that Chipman is the only Clean Elections candidate in this race for the Maine Senate.
In 1996, Maine voters enacted the Maine Clean Election Act, a system of optional public financing for state elections. In the words of the law’s heroic defenders, Maine Citizens for Clean Elections (mainecleanelections.org), the purpose of the law is to “break the ties between wealthy special interests and our elected leaders.”
Chipman is in a hotly contested primary election for the Democratic nomination. So, at a time when it actually matters, he alone is walking the talk when it comes to diminishing the impact of money on our politics.
Despite the efforts of many to undermine this landmark law, and the national example it sets, it remains strong and is doing just what it was intended to because candidates like Ben Chipman don’t just say words of support, they stake their electoral futures on it.
-Ben Dudley, Portland
