I had the privilege of driving Rep. Holly Stover in South Bristol this week.

I knew the broad strokes of her resume: 23 years’ service in HHS, currently E.D. of Lincoln County Dental and program director for a Boothbay peninsula-focused addiction outreach council. But our lively conversation deepened my appreciation of this champion of working people.

As we talked, I realized that Holly’s focus is always on making certain that Mainers have the best shot at making a decent — not an extravagant, not an unearned — but making a decent life for ourselves. And what more can we ask? Holly understands that folks don’t need (and don’t want) a handout, but that sometimes the best of us needs a hand-up.

Please get out and vote for Rep. Holly Stover in the June 14 primary election. We need her to remain in Augusta.

Geoff Bates

South Bristol