A famous Cuban poet wrote: “I choose the poor as my people and share their troubles. I’d rather lose every comfort than turn away from their struggles.”
Layla Kargar embodies these words in what she does for her community. Despite her opponents receiving many endorsements, her endorsements comes from the people she’s helped.
When a reporter wrote that Portland voters would have to decide if Layla’s criminal past would disqualify her from serving in public office, it was an insult to the many people with a criminal past that may have a desire to run for public office. She’s the first person to offer me a writing job at “Incomer.”
Does it matter that the person giving me my first writing job has a criminal past and is a recovering addict? Should the decisions about Portland’s future be based off someone’s past? This is why we all need to treat the poor, the addicts, and the immigrants with respect because the people that are forgotten and ignored today may be the ones removing the roadblocks in your future tomorrow.
Vote Layla Kargar for District 3.
Brendan Williams
South Portland
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less