As a 31-year-old in the middle of my life-building phase, I know that Maine is not just a postcard. It is a place where we must build careers, families, and lives. We need representation in Washington that understands the fiscal reality of doing so.

As a former U.S. Army logistics officer and a current supply chain consultant for a local hospital here in Hancock County, I see firsthand how vital federal funding is to our rural communities. Maine’s job market is not robust in every town, and our rural healthcare system relies heavily on leaders who can bring resources home. Because Sen. Susan Collins is the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she serves as the shield that protects that funding. Thanks to her, Maine punches far above its weight in federal representation.

Brad Aldridge is a former U.S. Army logistics officer and supply chain consultant based in Down East Maine.

Read the full letter at the Bangor Daily News.