Toni Seger of Lovell is a multimedia artist, award-winning filmmaker and playwright whose plays have been staged in Canada, California, England, New York City and other states as well as Maine and cable television.
As a general rule, Democrats want to leave office feeling they’ve improved and enabled a better life for the people they serve. I’ve always found this focus compelling and in pained contrast to Republicans, who simply want to leave office enriched.
Donald Trump has set such a glaring example, it couldn’t be more horrifying. According to estimates, Trump enriched himself by $5 billion in the first year of his second term alone. It’s so sickening, I had to wonder if it were possible there might be anyone left willing to demonstrate idealism in this country, who was also believable.
I’m a lifelong Democrat (77), and have always been proud of the quality of candidates Democrats propose, but we’ve never needed uncompromisingly great leadership more than right now. That’s why it’s wonderful to fully acquaint myself with Shenna Bellows’ candidacy for governor because she’s both a hardcore realist and unshakably committed to “making government work.”
Indeed, Shenna’s entire resume is impressive because it’s all about being effective with public interest work. She was executive director of the ACLU from 2005 to 2013, where she fought to protect reproductive rights and safeguard privacy. She was a leader in campaigns for Maine Won’t Discriminate, Mainers United for Marriage and, finally, marriage equality in 2012. In the state Senate, she won property tax relief for constituents, kept seniors in their homes and protected drinking water for children.
When you consider the amount of socially conscious legislation put forward by Democrats over the decades, it’s a consistent legacy since FDR — to make life easier, safer and more affordable for the great mass of people, with particular attention to those who are struggling. Shenna’s career has always played an important role in that long, esteemed history and frames the invaluable perspective of a very unique politician.
For starters, she grew up in a log cabin, without electricity or running water, until the fifth grade. Still, she never felt poor though I’m certain she felt self-reliant. When your childhood requires you to master substantial “life skills,” you’ll become an adult who faces the world with a special kind of confidence. That’s why it doesn’t surprise me that Shenna has the strength to stand up to Donald Trump when so many others don’t.
Indeed, she’s repeatedly demonstrated such unflappable inner strength. Her performance is memorable in itself. Consider the courage she displayed when she worked to protect our elections in Maine and when she defeated (Trump’s alter ego) Paul LePage’s attacks on the issue of abortion. She’s also been the executive director for the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine since 2018 and somehow remained an optimist.
I never forget that Maine’s environment is also its economy, which is why this state must have leaders whose support for the environment isn’t just a political slogan. Shenna’s childhood was spent close to the soil: drinking water from the family’s well and eating vegetables raised in their garden. Environmental protection isn’t an abstract concept or a political issue when your young life directly depends on it.
A rural upbringing also includes looking out for your neighbor, which is why we can have confidence that Shenna will always fight to improve people’s access to healthcare, quality education and good-paying jobs.
At this stage in our history, faced with the ambitions of a wannabe dictator, we must have fearless fighters who never lose their cool or their commitment. There are important benefits having a leader whose understanding of survival is so primal that she can handle herself in any situation.
And, at the same time, there’s no aspect of life Shenna Bellows takes for granted. Finally, she’s firmly committed to optimism about the potential for a future that includes “cross-party collaboration.”
If you’re at your wit’s end with the current difficulties of our political climate, I offer a suggestion. Find a location where Shenna Bellows is going to speak and get yourself there. Your spirits will lift at the extraordinary character of this fearless, joyful woman
who is filled with depth, experience and courage and, I’m willing to bet, you’ll want to see her leadership in Augusta.
From the beginning her intention has always been to serve the people and there’s never been a better time for her strong, confident leadership. Shenna is inspiring! And right now, we need inspiration very badly. Vote for Shenna Bellows for governor.