While this summer has been unusual because of COVID-19, I hope everyone has had an opportunity to enjoy the exceptionally warm days and gorgeous summer weather, although a little more rain would be good for the grass. We can only hope the beautiful weather continues into September. In this update from Augusta, I write to let you know that it will be my last. I resigned my seat in the Maine House of Representatives effective August 16. While term limits would prevent me from running for another term regardless, I am resigning my seat four months prior to my term’s expiration as I have taken a job that requires me to leave my seat.
This past May, I graduated from the University of Maine School of Law. I am grateful to have three years of intense legal study behind me, but equally grateful for a formative, top-notch legal education. I have come to learn that Maine Law is an indispensable asset to our state–providing a strong legal education to students and contributing significantly to Maine’s social, economic and legal fabric. Since graduating, I have been offered a job as a law clerk with the Maine Superior Court, Maine’s trial court. Since I will be working in the Judiciary Branch, state law prohibits me from also serving in the Legislative Branch. Thus, in order to start my job, I must resign from my seat in the legislature. I want to take the opportunity to reflect on my time in the Legislature and thank you—the citizens of Gorham—for your support over the last eight years.
Serving in the Maine House of Representatives and representing the citizens of Gorham has been a true privilege. Indeed, it has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I remain humbled and full of gratitude for your faith and trust you have placed in me for eight years. There has not been a day that I have walked into the State House and forgotten the trust that was placed in me to serve those I represent. While serving in elected office can be challenging for a variety of reasons, it has nonetheless been an overwhelmingly positive experience. While it may not make the press often, there is so much good work being done by so many talented people in Maine—people who are collaborative and solution-oriented, people who are committed to creating a more fair and just world, and people who are innovating and creating opportunity for people in our state. Our state is small, but mighty. Maine people are smart, ingenious, and hardworking. They are compassionate, collaborative, and forward-looking. We should be proud of the amazing work being done in all areas of our state. I am proud of the work we have accomplished in Augusta over the last eight years, and I am grateful to have contributed to the success of that work.
When I first ran for office in 2012, I knocked on 5,000 doors between April and November. I believed it was my obligation to meet you and hear your concerns face to face. I met several thousand of you at your door. We talked about your hopes, your dreams, your frustrations, and your concerns. While I have not been able to solve each and every problem, I hope you know you were heard. Every day, when I went to Augusta, I tried to the best of my ability to represent our communities’ interests on issues ranging from education to business to civil rights and so many more. I always kept our conversations in the back of my mind while working on solutions to our most challenging issues. During our conversations, we oftentimes agreed on issues; however, there were times when we did not. But I still appreciated and valued the perspectives you shared with me. In fact, many times my views on issues changed because of the perspective you shared with me. So, too, did my vote on legislation. You should know that your conversations with me made a difference. I have also been humbled by the people who have changed their own views on issues based on what I have shared with them. Our ability to listen and learn from one another seems like a lost art these days, but I believe each and every one of us possesses that ability. I hope we continue to have spirited debates on issues, but that we do so civilly, listening to others and seeking a deeper understanding of each others’ views and experiences.
In addition to thanking the voters of Gorham and Scarborough for their support, I must also thank my family—my husband, Kyle Bailey, my parents, and my chosen family here in Gorham. It is true that serving in elected office takes its toll on relationships and families. A significant amount of time is spent away while in session, and in addition to working a job, additional time attending events and working on constituent issues takes away from time otherwise spent with family. My family knows how important this work is to me, and without their support and advice I would not have been as successful.
I cannot begin to express my deepest thanks for the trust you have placed in me. It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of Gorham (and Scarborough) in the Maine House of Representatives for the last eight years. While I regret to resign my term before its natural expiration, I leave with much humility and a deep sense of gratitude for each and every one of you. And while I will no longer represent our community at the State House, I am nonetheless here to assist you in any way I can. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can ever be of assistance. I wish each and every one of you well.