In his 2024 book, “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character and Kindness,” Maine Republican gubernatorial hopeful Robert “Bobby” Charles reminded us that we Americans are in this together and ought to see the best in each other. In the book’s admiring foreword, astronaut Buzz Aldrin said that Charles brought to the surface “what we have in common, despite differences.”

A fine sentiment. It’s too bad that Charles, who lives in Leeds, is running a political campaign that defies the advice offered in his book. Increasingly, he’s been spreading hate.

On social media in the past few weeks, Charles has lashed out repeatedly at Democrats for putting Somalia ahead of Maine. It’s a ridiculous assertion.

One of his Facebook posts simply reads, “Maine is not Somalia.” Another claims that “Augusta Democrats put Somalia first,” in supposed contrast to Charles, who “puts Maine first.” Yet another includes a cartoon of a politician taking down the American flag at the State House to replace it — with one from Somalia.

“Maine taxpayers are not a stepping stool for Somalia’s interests,” Charles wrote in the accompanying text. “If Somalia is your priority, resign and pack your bags. Mainers don’t answer to Mogadishu.”

“Somalia-First politicians don’t represent the hardworking, America-loving patriots of this state. We pledge allegiance to the United States. If Augusta Democrats can’t do the same, you don’t belong in office,” Charles said.

This is just part of the nativist barrage, aimed at Somalis and Somalia, using the same playbook that the Ku Klux Klan employed in Maine a century ago as it targeted the state’s growing French-Canadian community.

Charles has stopped short of burning a cross on Lewiston’s highest hill, as the Klan did in 1924, but the vitriol he’s spreading today has the same message to newcomers: You’re not welcome here. That’s not what we need from a would-be leader.

I’m lucky enough to know a fair number of hardworking, ambitious, educated and freedom-loving people in the Somali community in Lewiston and Auburn. They overcame great hardships to get to Maine and educate themselves. They work hard to ensure their families will flourish. They’re not a threat to me or you.

The French-speaking ancestors of many of us who came here with a strange religion, little knowledge of the English language and big families who found their way in tough neighborhoods would recognize what’s going on. Nativists constantly questioned their loyalty to the States, too.

Repeating himself, Charles, a former assistant secretary of state, posted last week on Facebook that “any Augusta politician pledging their allegiance to any flag except this one should apologize or immediately resign and pack their bags. This is America. Act like it.”

If someone in this sorry case of politics gone astray needs to apologize, it’s not the darn few Somalis who hold public office in Maine. It’s an American candidate who knows better but continues to smear his would-be colleagues for political gain.

If Charles really wants to be the next governor, he must realize that immigrants who have chosen this state over anywhere else in the world need — and deserve — his support just as much as every other Mainer. Good leaders spread hope, not hate.