I grew up in Maine, went to college in Maine and for six years have been a public schoolteacher in Maine. I recently had the honor of meeting Les Otten. He shares my vision for Maine.

He believes that Maine should be a place for young adults to flourish, not a place from which high school graduates have to flee in order to find opportunity.

He believes that the public education system needs to be overhauled so that student performance trumps special interests.

He has a real plan to grow jobs in Maine.

He adores this state’s spectacular beauty and kind people.

He is a proven leader who can make Maine great again.

I hope others join me in supporting Les Otten for governor on June 8, so that my students have a future in Maine — and so that I do, too.

Garrett Goldsmith, Auburn