I taught in Maine public schools for over 35 years, and I know who’s actually worked hard for Maine educators.

As president of the Maine Senate, Troy Jackson spent years as one of the most powerful people in Augusta. During those years, Maine students fell behind in every grade and core subject on the Nation’s Report Card. Teachers walked away from the classroom, and Maine still can’t find enough new educators to replace them.

Sen. Susan Collins is the reason I now receive the full Social Security benefit I earned. She led the fight to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, the rules that quietly robbed teachers and other public workers of benefits we paid into. The Maine Education Association had been pushing for that fix since before some of my students were born.

Collins wrote the Social Security Fairness Act herself and fought to get it passed. When it finally happened, the MEA called it a historic victory and thanked her for her bipartisan leadership. More than 25,000 retired Maine teachers and public servants got a boost, and every teacher still working will get it too.

Susan Collins’ independent leadership has improved my life. I’m hopeful it also means more good teachers choose to come to Maine and stay here.

So, when people ask who I’m voting for, here’s my honest answer: Jackson ran the State Senate while Maine’s schools slid backward. Collins spent years fixing a problem for retired teachers and got the job done. I support Susan.

Linda Baker
Topsham

Read the full letter at Portland Press Herald.