I’m worried about the outcome of our congressional district’s voting in this election, as it may very well determine which party controls the House of Representatives.

If Republicans win we’ll continue our perilous drift from democracy to authoritarianism, all based on Trump’s Big Lie of a stolen election.

Immediately after huddling in fear during Trump’s violent January 6 insurrection, 147 Republicans voted to overturn the election results.

They’re part of the 236 Republican election deniers now running for the House. Their party’s candidate for our district’s seat, Brandon Williams, is an outspoken Trump supporter. He sees Trump as the party’s leader and wants him to run again. Obviously, if elected he will go along with Republican efforts to further undermine our democracy.

I have spoken with Francis Conole, the Democratic party’s candidate, and he fully understands what’s at stake. As an Iraq War veteran, U.S. Navy Reserve Commander and former assistant to two Secretaries of Defense, he knows that democracy is on the ballot. He has stated unequivocally and on the record “I didn’t fight for our country overseas to watch our democracy get trampled here at home.”

We cannot afford to elect a Republican to our Congressional seat -- or any other office. Please join me in voting for Francis Conole and the entire Democratic ticket.

— Richard Meili, Waterville