Ethan Represents Maine Values and Maine's Future.

Dale McCormick, Augusta
Rosemary Baldacci, Ogunquit

Dear Friends,

This year, we have a unique opportunity to get behind a person with an unparalleled track record of standing up when we need him. Someone who will, without question, be an activist on issues of civil rights in the United States House of Representatives.

That person is our friend State Senator Ethan Strimling.

Ethan is considering a run to represent Maine's First Congressional District. We are writing today to urge you to join us in support of him.

Each of us has our own reasons for supporting Ethan. From his early leadership opposing the war in Iraq, to his fight for alternative energy, to his work at Portland West helping kids at risk turn their lives around. Ethan has shown that the people of Maine are his first concern.

However, for us, there is one reason above all others -- his unyielding support for civil rights for ALL Maine people. As a leader inside Maine Won't Discriminate, Ethan spent endless hours helping us defeat hate and promote tolerance. As a Board member of the NAACP, he challenged his own community to recognize the changing face of Maine.

And as a State Senator he led battles behind the scenes to pass the Civil Rights Act of 2005 and is currently leading the charge to provide Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) benefits to domestic partners. He also had the courage to propose that Maine finally repeal our discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the law that prevents us from recognizing legal marriages from Massachusetts.

If the fight is for civil rights, Ethan never shies away. And now we need you to support him as he has always supported us.

Today we want to ask each of you- how much is it worth to you to have a United States Representative who not only will vote the right way, but more importantly, will always take the lead on civil rights issues?

Ethan represents Maine's values and Maine's future. Please join us in making sure both are represented in Congress.

Sincerely,

Dale McCormick & Rosemary Baldacci