Hello. My name is Jean Hay, and I'm one of five Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate. My four opponents are all men. Three of them are lawyers. One is a millionaire. I think that is a wonderful field for me to be in.

I firmly believe that in diversity there is strength. That goes for the economy, the environment, in agriculture, and in Congress. And right now, Congress does not look like the diverse population it is supposed to represent. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with lawyers or millionaires – or men. But like monocultures in agriculture, when too many of the same kind of thing is grown too long in the same place, odd pest and disease problems develop.

My background is very different from any of my opponents in this race. The three major pieces of that background are as a newspaper reporter, as a commercial organic farmer, and as a mother. My presence on the floor of the Senate would singlehandedly go a long way toward diversifying that body.

It has already gone a long way toward diversifying this race.

For instance, because of my background as a newspaper reporter, I am in love with the First Amendment and the people's right to know. It is in my nature to ask questions, and insist on legitimate answers, because I know that people need good information to make good decisions.

So you can imagine my reaction when, lately, Joseph Moses Brennan has come down from the mountain and issued what he described as the 11th Commandment, ''Thou Shalt Not Speak Ill of Another Democrat.''

Joe made this statement once again yesterday in Yarmouth, the day after the Amnesty International annual dinner in Portland, held on World Press Freedom Day, where Nigerian journalist Dapo Olorunyomi spoke eloquently about the oppression he and his fellow journalists are undergoing in his native Nigeria, including some who have been executed because they dare to speak out against their government.

Sorry Joe. I can't sit in that pew of our church. I do not think it serves either this party or this country to keep information from voters, particularly if they would vote differently if they knew what was going on.

Truths can only be self-evident if the information is there to process.

Admittedly, the Republicans have far more pieces of information that are ripe for attack. And we should do so with ferocity. Such as their ridiculous refusal to raise the minimum wage to a living wage. Such as their platform push to declare the wombs of American women to be government property, because as every Republican knows, women can't be trusted to make responsible decisions about their own bodies or in the best interest of their own families.

These are basic differences in values, ethics and freedoms which we need to articulate in every way possible and at every opportunity. I sure do.

But to say that Democrats should not speak ill of other Democrats because it will hurt our nominee in the general election is to silence the kid who pointed out that the King has no clothes.

If one of my opponents comes up with a corporate tax restructuring plan, as Sean Faircloth has, which I consider to be anti-labor, ill-advised, and in some parts mathematically impossible, I do the voters and my country no good to hold my tongue.

Joe has warned that such outspokenness on my part will cost me votes. If people choose not to vote for me because I am a fighter, and they don't like to see that in a woman, then I am clearly not their candidate anyway.

If there is any doubt in your mind, let me make myself very clear. I promise you I will always call things as I see them, and that I will speak out against injustice and incompetence, regardless of where I find it.

That personal proclivity of mine served me well as a newspaper reporter, it held up fine in my many hours of volunteer work as an environmental and human rights activist, and I contend it will serve you and this country well on the floor of the United States Senate.

Send me there and I'll prove it.