Some exciting news in the McDonald-Smith household these days. My husband, Ande Smith, has thrown his hat in the ring to run for Congress in Maine’s First Congressional District. Yeah. Congress. How about that?

While this is nothing but good news for the folks in CD1 and for Ande, for me it presents some challenges. I still have to keep our house and rather large family going on top of running the campaign.

But beyond that, I’d have to begin minding my writing. I’d have to mind it in a way that would make it no longer my own. Always having to concern myself with a conflict of interest, or not being able to write about something at all because the subject matter related to the race in some manner – I’d effectively be stifled in what I could say, or how I could say it. Those of you who follow my column know that simply would not work.

It’s taken me more than two months and some helpful conversations with my very kind editor to come to the decision to put my column on hiatus while my husband is running. I want readers to know what a disappointment this is for me, and to know it’s not a decision I’ve made lightly. I’ve loved connecting with you over these past nearly two years. I love the letters I receive from you. I’ve kept all of them. They, and you, mean a lot to me. I don’t want to let you down.

However, Ande’s run for Congress means sacrifice all around; for our entire family, not just me. But we all have willingly embraced that sacrifice in order to make this happen. We obviously think it is necessary to have a change in CD1, or we wouldn’t be embarking on this journey, and turning our lives upside down. All for a good cause, though, in our view.

For those of you who wish to see the conservative voice continue to be heard, I encourage you to embark on your own writing campaigns. Whether it’s defending life, exposing the lies of education “reform,” illegal immigration, terrorism, Iran going nuclear, the gutting of our military, promoting the plight of Christians around the world, or shining the spotlight on the lawlessness of the current administration – there is no shortage of topics to discuss.

Write letters to the editor and guest columns. Speak out in your local communities. Let your voice be heard. The silent majority needs to wake up and start screaming out loud. I believe the continuation and survival of our Republic as defined by the founders hangs in the balance. It’s that serious.

That seriousness has led our family to make this leap, to jump into this fray. Like Ande says, for him, after 30-plus years in the U.S. Navy, employing people with his own small business, and sitting on several state and local boards and committees, it’s the next place he can serve.

My hope is that in my absence, others will make their own leap and choose to serve in some manner, too. We all have a role to play, we all have a chance to make a difference.

God bless. Until next time.

Julie McDonald-Smith lives in North Yarmouth. She is a registered nurse, former Capitol Hill staffer, publicity chairwoman of the Cumberland County Republican Committee, and occasional guest host on WGAN 560AM. This is her final column, pending the outcome of the Republican primary in Maine’s First Congressional District.