Diane Russell: Running for State House
Running for State House
Hello Friends,
When I was a little girl, there was a girl a couple years older who was confused why the grown-ups on television were arguing about things she didn't understand and why here parents were nervous about the state of the world around them. Her mother encouraged her to write a letter, a letter that was not responded to for about six months.
When the letter was responded to, it changed the course of history as we know it. By asking "Why," that little girl encouraged leaders from the US and the USSR to sit down and have a conversation about their joint interests for the future.
Samantha Smith, the ten-year old who started the end of the Cold War, was from Maine. She died two years later.
Her story is one that bears repeating time and time and time again because it is one of hope and empowerment. It is her story that inspired me to work with colleagues to found Opportunity Maine and to pave the way to ensure every student has the right and the financial ability to attend and finish college.
We started with an idea, an idea that student loan debt was preventing our students from finishing their degrees or even from staying here in the state where they grew up. That idea turned into legislation which turned into a campaign which then turned into a movement that stretched across Maine and is beginning to take root in places around the country.
What started as an idea has turned into a reality, a reality that is far different than the future that had been laid out. In the place where I becomes We, new roads open up and paths toward prosperity are found.
We have seen time and again how one voice from Maine can turn into a chorus that echoes around the state, then around the country, and sometimes even around the world. Samantha Smith, Clean Elections, REAL ID, Dirigo Health and now Opportunity Maine have all proven how important our voice is here in Maine.
Recently, I was asked to consider running for the House seat that Anne Rand is vacating in Portland, an invitation I have accepted. I look forward to a healthy debate about the future of our economy, our land preservation needs and how to effectively balance our budget through a fair tax system that benefits everyone.
I would greatly appreciate your support during my campaign and welcome comments, questions and volunteer help!
Sincerely,
~Diane Russell
When I was a little girl, there was a girl a couple years older who was confused why the grown-ups on television were arguing about things she didn't understand and why here parents were nervous about the state of the world around them. Her mother encouraged her to write a letter, a letter that was not responded to for about six months.
When the letter was responded to, it changed the course of history as we know it. By asking "Why," that little girl encouraged leaders from the US and the USSR to sit down and have a conversation about their joint interests for the future.
Samantha Smith, the ten-year old who started the end of the Cold War, was from Maine. She died two years later.
Her story is one that bears repeating time and time and time again because it is one of hope and empowerment. It is her story that inspired me to work with colleagues to found Opportunity Maine and to pave the way to ensure every student has the right and the financial ability to attend and finish college.
We started with an idea, an idea that student loan debt was preventing our students from finishing their degrees or even from staying here in the state where they grew up. That idea turned into legislation which turned into a campaign which then turned into a movement that stretched across Maine and is beginning to take root in places around the country.
What started as an idea has turned into a reality, a reality that is far different than the future that had been laid out. In the place where I becomes We, new roads open up and paths toward prosperity are found.
We have seen time and again how one voice from Maine can turn into a chorus that echoes around the state, then around the country, and sometimes even around the world. Samantha Smith, Clean Elections, REAL ID, Dirigo Health and now Opportunity Maine have all proven how important our voice is here in Maine.
Recently, I was asked to consider running for the House seat that Anne Rand is vacating in Portland, an invitation I have accepted. I look forward to a healthy debate about the future of our economy, our land preservation needs and how to effectively balance our budget through a fair tax system that benefits everyone.
I would greatly appreciate your support during my campaign and welcome comments, questions and volunteer help!
Sincerely,
~Diane Russell
