Zachary Earl Smith

I recently received a phone call from a gentleman who had a rather interesting question, “How are you any different from the last few politicians who have held this seat?” A very fair question, especially when you consider the popularity of Congress and the failure of our own state government down in Augusta. I know that this gentleman is not alone in his concern, as I have spoken to many others who have similar concerns about the condition of our government. I have the same questions and concerns, and that is one of the many reasons why I am running for office.

I do not want to go to Augusta to simply be a bench warmer, believe me there are many other things I could do that would make a lot more money, and carry a lot less headaches. I run for office with a servant’s heart, and a sincere desire to make a difference to improve our quality of life here in The County. I want to get elected to shake things up and to wake legislators out of their complacency. If I accomplish nothing else so be it, for I believe if I can just make even a mild stir in the stagnant waters of Augusta it can only have a profoundly positive effect. Those in the majority have been there so long their confidence in their hold over power has turned into arrogance, and even into a feeling of entitlement. This sense of entitlement and arrogance has caused them to lose touch and stray far from the wishes of the people. Those in the minority are just as guilty for they sit idly by and watch it happen, so long now out of the driver’s seat they have given up or simply forgotten how to speak up at all. This is why Augusta has grown complacent and stagnant, under such conditions it is nearly impossible for new ideas to emerge to solve Maine’s problems. That is the vicious nature of such a status-quo between political parties and the people they are supposed to be serving. If we had vibrant and cooperative political parties this wouldn’t be a problem, as real competition sparks true debate which leads to better ideas to solve problems. If nothing else, it would force politicians to remain a little honest.

I am just as angry and frustrated as most people over the new low our government seems to have sunk to. I am not a complacent person, so I cannot sit idly by and watch arrogant politicians let partisanship stop anything from moving forward. If, when elected, this means I have to shake things up within my own party then bring it on. This doesn’t mean I plan to be an obstructionist, as I know I will need to build relationships with both sides of the aisle to overcome the partisanship. The reality though is that our government at every level is failing us, which means we are going to have to step on toes and ruffle feathers if anything concrete is going to be accomplished. I won’t be afraid to do either, as I know I will have the full faith and support of you and my friends back at home who elected me for that very reason. We must all work together, Democrat and Republican, if we are going to get anything done in Augusta. We must bridge the partisan gridlock and find common sense solutions that all sides can agree on. That is what I will work towards when I go to Augusta, and hopefully make a dent in the status-quo.

I have no illusions about what awaits me in Augusta. I certainly understand people’s skepticism, as there is good reason why we all feel the way we do about most politicians. I intend to take on the establishment and challenge their ideas on governing. This will take hard work and is something I am dedicated to, as like many of you I am also sick and tired of the political games. I am 28 years old, and I am fed up with seeing my friends leave The County and our State. I recently graduated from the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and what is usually a joyous occasion was a bittersweet experience for me and my friends. I am proud to have earned my degree, but when contrasted by the fact that virtually all my friends are leaving after graduating I was left feeling sad, even angry. Why should my friends, The County’s sons and daughters, Maine’s best and brightest feel they have to leave to have prosperous lives? This one fact alone I believe best illustrates the magnitude to which our state government has failed us, and the urgency for us to step up and do something to change it.

Working to end youth out-migration is something I feel passionately about, and is something that I know concerns all of us. I believe that the problems that plague Maine are all interconnected, and in order to tackle and solve one you have to address the larger issues that affect everyone. I will work to address these issues even it means I have to spend 90% of my time in Augusta banging my head into a wall (for which I have my own helmet). I have never backed away from the good fight before and I don’t intend to now, and certainly not when so much is at stake. We are seriously talking about the future of our State, figuratively and literally. I want my friends to feel they can be prosperous here, and if we can overcome those issues than everyone will be better off for it. I know this won’t happen overnight and will require a lot of effort, but I know I have the energy, stubbornness, and patience to keep at the job until it does happen.

This is my pledge, and if I ever deviate from it I don’t just ask, but demand that you vote me out of office. Ironically this is something I know isn’t be a problem for voters of the district, for if elected you the voters would have unseated two incumbents in a row. A very sobering fact if you’re a politician, and a big hint that you are past waiting but demand action, and not more empty talk from someone who just keeps a seat warm. You may not hear that from very many seeking office but it is true, and is how sincere I am about my pledge. If I go to Augusta and forget why I went there it will mean I will have more than just failed. I will have failed myself, my family, you the people I swore to represent, and worse yet I will have failed my friends who put their faith in me to fight for them. This is the depth of my commitment to you and how much I believe in serving you, my state, and my community. Service above self aren’t just words to me but a philosophy of principle I live by, and I feel the greatest service I can do is the one I have been given the opportunity to do. That is to serve in public office and put my energy and efforts in to trying to make a difference where it seems most others won’t, and I believe our state government in Augusta currently fits the bill. I want to fight for those things that we all want, and to work to achieve those things not just for my friends and family, but for you and all of us here in The County so that we can all benefit.

I can appreciate why people are so cynical about their politicians, and it shows us just how bad it has become. I believe our country and our state are at a very serious crossroads, and that it will take dedicated people willing to sacrifice to fight to change it. There is no greater cause than to serve a cause greater than yourself, and I believe running for office and working to wake up and change Augusta is such a cause. I hope through my efforts I can hopefully inspire other young Mainers to take an interest government, and to get involved in other worthwhile endeavors in the service of their community. This is what I believe, how strongly I feel, and what will drive me to work for us in Augusta. If you believe what I believe, or think just maybe I’m heading in the right direction than I ask for your vote on November 4th.

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