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Jantzen Craine is a husband, father of four, hotel manager and worship leader from Houlton. He is a candidate for state representative in Maine’s House District 7.

On Sept. 10, America was shaken by the news that Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking to students in Utah. No matter where you stood politically, that act of violence was a tragedy — not just for his family and friends, but for all of us who care about free speech, civic debate, and the health of our republic.

For me, the news carried a weight I won’t soon forget. It was a sobering reminder of how fragile our democracy has become when dis

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