Maine House of Representatives

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Maine House of Representatives
Maine State Legislature
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
Term limits
4 Terms (8 years)
History
New session started
December 7, 2022
Leadership
Rachel Talbot Ross (D)
since December 7, 2022
Majority Leader
Maureen Terry (D)
since December 7, 2022
Minority Leader
Billy Bob Faulkingham (R)
since December 7, 2022
Structure
Seats151 (and 3 non-voting)
Political groups
Majority
  •   Democratic (81)

Minority

Other

Vacant

  •   Vacant (2 non-voting[a])
Length of term
2 years
AuthorityArticle IV, Part First, Maine Constitution
SalarySession 1: $13,526/year
Session 2: $9,661/year + per diem
Elections
Last election
November 8, 2022
(151 seats)
Next election
November 5, 2024
(151 seats)
RedistrictingLegislative Control
Meeting place
House of Representatives Chamber
Maine State House
Augusta, Maine
Website
Maine House of Representatives

The Maine House of Representatives is the lower house of the Maine Legislature. The House consists of 151 voting members and three nonvoting members. The voting members represent an equal number of districts across the state and are elected via plurality voting. The nonvoting members represent three of Maine's Native American tribes, though two tribes have declined to send representatives. Each voting member of the House represents around 9,000 citizens of the state. Because it is a part-time position, members of the Maine House of Representatives usually have outside employment as well. Members are limited to four consecutive terms of two years each, but may run again after two years.

The House meets at the Maine State House in Augusta.

Leadership of the House[edit]

The Speaker of the House presides over the House of Representatives. The Speaker is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the full House through the passage of a House Resolution. In addition to presiding over the body, the Speaker is also the chief leadership position, and controls the flow of legislation and committee assignments. Other House leaders, such as the majority and minority leaders, are elected by their respective party caucuses relative to their party's strength in the chamber.

Composition of the 131st (2022-2024) Maine House of Representatives[edit]

Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Democratic Republican Green Ind. Independ. Nonpart. Vacant
Begin 126th Legislature (Dec. 2012) 89 58 0 4 151 0
End 126th Legislature 57 150 1
Begin 127th Legislature (Dec. 2014) 79 68 0 4 151 0
End 127th Legislature 78 69
Begin 128th Legislature (Dec. 2016) 77 72 0 2 151 0
End 128th Legislature 73 70 1 6 150 1
Begin 129th Legislature (Dec. 2018)[b] 89 57 0 5 151 0
End 129th Legislature 87 56 6 149 2
Begin 130th Legislature (Dec. 2020) 80 67 0 4 151 0
End 130th Legislature 76 63 3 142 9
Begin 131st Legislature (Dec. 2022) 82 67 0 2 151 0
February 16, 2023[c] 81 150 1
June 14, 2023[d] 68 151 0
July 14, 2023[e] 80 150 1
October 30, 2023[f] 79 149 2
November 9, 2023[g] 80 150 1
March 6, 2024[h] 81 151 0
Latest voting share 53.6% 45% 0% 1.3%
Non-voting members 1 1 2

Nonvoting members of the House[edit]

The three nonvoting members within the House represent the Wabanaki or Dawnland nations of the Penobscot, the Passamaquoddy, and the Maliseet. The special Representatives can sponsor legislation relating specifically to the Tribes or in relation to Tribal - State land claims, as well as co-sponsor any other legislation brought before the House, but do not cast a legislative vote due to their unique tribal status representing their tribal members only. The Penobscot, Passamaquoddy and Maliseet tribal representatives are also entitled to sit as members of joint standing committees during hearings and deliberations, where they do cast votes, which can be very important with respect to specific legislative proposals.

Starting with the second session of the 125th Legislature, the Houlton Band of Maliseets was given a legislative seat in the House of Representatives. The first elected occupant of the seat was Henry John Bear. After being sworn in by Governor Paul LePage, Bear stated he would introduce legislation to give the Micmac people of Maine a nonvoting seat.[1]

The Passamaquoddy and Penobscots announced at a State House rally on May 26, 2015 that they would withdraw their representatives from the Legislature, citing disputes over tribal fishing rights, jurisdictional issues, and a lack of respect for tribal sovereignty. They further cited an executive order by Governor Paul LePage that rescinded a prior order requiring consultation with the tribes on state issues that affected them as a reason for their decision. Subsequently, Matthew Dana II of the Passamaquoddy and Wayne Mitchell of the Penobscot left the legislature leaving Henry John Bear of the Maliseet the only non-voting tribal representative. In response, Speaker Eves said that the tribal representatives are always welcome in the House. Matthew Dana II returned to the House from the Passamaquoddy Tribe in the 2016 elections.[2]

The Maliseets chose not to send a Representative to the 129th Legislature, elected in 2018. As of December 2022, the Maliseets and the Penobscots haven't returned to the House, leaving just the Passamaquoddy Representative, presently Aaron Dana.[3]

Independents and other parties[edit]

Due to the independent political tradition in the state, the Maine House of Representatives has been an entry ground for several of the state's prominent Independent politicians. From 2002 to 2006, Representative John Eder of Portland (District 118), belonging to the Maine Green Independent Party, served in the Legislature, the highest elected Green politician in U.S. politics at that time. Eder secured recognition as a one-member Green Party caucus in the House, receiving a dedicated staff person, which is unusual for individual legislators in the Maine House. In the 2006 elections, Eder lost his seat to a Democratic challenger.

On September 21, 2017, Ralph Chapman, previously registered as an independent, switched his registration to the Maine Green Independent Party, the first time in over a decade that the Maine Green Independent Party was represented at the state level.[4]

Officers[edit]

Position Representative[5] Party Hometown
Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross Democratic Portland
Majority Leader Maureen Terry Democratic Gorham
Assistant Majority Leader/Whip Kristen Cloutier Democratic Lewiston
Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham Republican Winter Harbor
Assistant Minority Leader/Whip Amy Arata Republican New Gloucester

Members of the Maine House of Representatives[edit]

Map of recent (September 2023) partisan composition of the Maine House of Representatives by district :
  Republican representative
  Democratic representative
  Independent representative
  Vacant seat

Districts are currently numbered starting with 1 from north to south. This is often reversed after each decennial redistricting, and it was reversed in the redistricting which occurred in 2021 and which went into effect beginning with the 2022 primary and general elections. The previous district lines, which were drawn in 2013 and were first used in the 2014 primary and general elections, were only in effect for 8 years rather than the usual 10 as Maine adjusted its legislative redistricting cycle to conform with most other states.

↑ denotes that the Representative first won in a special election

District Representative[5] Party Residence First elected Term-limited
1 Austin Theriault Rep Fort Kent 2022 2030
2 Roger Albert Rep Madawaska 2022 2030
3 Mark Babin Rep Fort Fairfield 2022 2030
4 Timothy Guerrette Rep Caribou 2022 2030
5 Joseph F. Underwood Rep Presque Isle 2020 2028
6 Donald Ardell Rep Monticello 2022 2030
7 Gregory Swallow Rep Houlton 2022 (2018-2020) 2030
8 Tracy Quint Rep Hodgdon 2020 2028
9 Anne C. Perry Dem Calais 2016 (2002-2010) 2024
10 Kenneth Davis, Jr. Rep East Machias 2022 2030
11 Tiffany Strout Rep Harrington 2022 2030
12 Billy Bob Faulkingham Rep Winter Harbor 2018 2026
13 James Worth Dem Ellsworth 2022 2030
14 Lynne Williams Dem Bar Harbor 2020 2028
15 Holly Eaton Dem Deer Isle 2022 2030
16 Nina Milliken Dem Blue Hill 2022 2030
17 Ronald B. Russell Dem Verona Island 2022 2030
18 Meldon Carmichael Rep Greenbush 2020 2028
19 Richard H. Campbell Rep Orrington 2022 (1992–2000; 2012–2020) 2030
20 Kevin O'Connell Dem Brewer 2020↑ 2028
21 Ambureen Rana Dem Bangor 2022 2030
22 Laura Supica Dem Bangor 2020 2028
23 Amy Roeder Dem Bangor 2020 2028
24 Joe Perry Dem Bangor 2019↑ (1996-2004) 2026
25 Laurie Osher Dem Orono 2020 2028
26 Jim Dill Dem Old Town 2022 (2010-2014) 2030
27 Gary Drinkwater Rep Milford 2018 2026
28 Irene Gifford Rep Lincoln 2022 2030
29 Kathy Irene Javner Rep Chester 2018 2026
30 James Lee White Rep Guilford 2022 2030
31 Chad R. Perkins Rep Dover-Foxcroft 2022 2030
32 Steven D. Foster Rep Dexter 2018 2026
33 Danny Costain Rep Plymouth 2018 2026
34 Abigail W. Griffin Rep Levant 2018 2026
35 James E. Thorne Rep Carmel 2020 2028
36 David Haggan Rep Hampden 2016 2024
37 Reagan Paul Rep Winterport 2022 2030
38 Benjamin C. Hymes Rep Waldo 2022 2030
39 Janice Dodge Dem Belfast 2018 2026
40 Stanley Zeigler Dem Montville 2016 2024
41 Victoria Doudera Dem Camden 2018 2026
42 Valli Geiger Dem Rockland 2020 2028
43 Ann Matlack Dem St. George 2018 2026
44 William Pluecker Ind Warren 2018 2026
45 Abden Simmons Rep Waldoboro 2023↑ (2016–2018) 2030
46 Lydia Crafts Dem Newcastle 2020 2028
47 Edward Polewarczyk Rep Wiscasset 2022 2030
48 Holly Stover Dem Boothbay 2018 2026
49 Allison Hepler Dem Woolwich 2018 2026
50 David Sinclair Dem Bath 2023↑ 2032
51 Rebecca Jauch Dem Topsham 2022 2030
52 Sally Cluchey Dem Bowdoinham 2022 2030
53 Michael Lemelin Rep Chelsea 2020 2028
54 Karen Montell Dem Gardiner 2022 2030
55 Daniel Shagoury Dem Hallowell 2022 2030
56 Randall Greenwood Rep Wales 2020 (2014-2016) 2028
57 Tavis Hasenfus Dem Readfield 2020 2028
58 Daniel J. Newman Rep Belgrade 2020 2028
59 Raegan LaRochelle Dem Augusta 2021↑ 2030
60 William Bridgeo Dem Augusta 2022 2030
61 Richard Bradstreet Rep Vassalboro 2016 2024
62 Katrina Smith Rep Palermo 2022 2030
63 Scott Cyrway Rep Albion 2022 2030
64 Colleen Madigan Dem Waterville 2016 2024
65 Bruce A. White Dem Waterville 2018 2026
66 Robert Nutting Rep Oakland 2022 (1998–2006; 2008–2016) 2030
67 Shelley Rudnicki Rep Fairfield 2018 2026
68 Amanda Collamore Rep Pittsfield 2020 2028
69 Dean Cray Rep Palmyra 2022 (2006-2014) 2030
70 Jennifer Poirier Rep Skowhegan 2020 2028
71 John Ducharme Rep Madison 2020 2028
72 Larry Dunphy Rep Embden 2022 (2010-2016) 2030
73 Michael Soboleski Rep Phillips 2022 2030
74 Randall Hall Rep Wilton 2018 2026
75 H. Scott Landry Dem Farmington 2018 2026
76 Sheila Lyman Rep Livermore Falls 2020 2028
77 Tammy Schmersal-Burgess Rep Mexico 2022 2030
78 Rachel A. Henderson Rep Rumford 2022 2030
79 John Andrews Rep Paris 2018 2026
80 Caldwell Jackson Rep Oxford 2022 2030
81 Sawin Millett Rep Waterford 2018 (1968–1972; 2002–2010) 2026
82 Caleb Ness Rep Fryeburg 2022 2030
83 Walter Riseman Ind Harrison 2018 2026
84 Mark Walker Rep Naples 2022 2030
85 Kimberly Pomerleau Rep Standish 2022 2030
86 Jessica Fay Dem Raymond 2016 2024
87 David Boyer Rep Poland 2022 2030
88 Kathy Shaw Dem Auburn 2022 2030
89 Adam R. Lee Dem Auburn 2022 2030
90 Laurel Libby Rep Auburn 2020 2028
91 Joshua Morris Rep Turner 2018 2026
92 Stephen J. Wood Rep Sabattus 2022 (2010-2018) 2030
93 Margaret Craven Dem Lewiston 2018 (2002-2008) 2026
94 Kristen Cloutier Dem Lewiston 2018 2026
95 Mana Abdi Dem Lewiston 2022 2030
96 Michel Lajoie Dem Lewiston 2022 (2008-2016) 2030
97 Richard G. Mason Rep Lisbon 2017↑ 2026
98 Joseph Galletta Rep Durham 2022 2030
99 Cheryl Golek Dem Harpswell 2022 2030
100 Daniel Ankeles Dem Brunswick 2022 2030
101 Poppy Arford Dem Brunswick 2020 2028
102 Melanie Sachs Dem Freeport 2020 2028
103 Arthur L. Bell Dem Yarmouth 2020 2028
104 Amy Arata Rep New Gloucester 2018 2026
105 Anne P. Graham Dem North Yarmouth 2022 (2010-2014) 2030
106 Barbara Bagshaw Rep Windham 2022 2030
107 Jane Pringle Dem Windham 2022 (2012-2014) 2030
108 Maureen Terry Dem Gorham 2016 2024
109 James Boyle Dem Gorham 2022↑ 2030
110 Stephen Moriarty Dem Cumberland 2019↑ (2012-2014) 2026
111 Amy Kuhn Dem Falmouth 2022 2030
112 W. Edward Crockett Dem Portland 2018 2026
113 Grayson Lookner Dem Portland 2020 2028
114 Benjamin Collings Dem Portland 2016 2024
115 Michael F. Brennan Dem Portland 2018 (1992-2000) 2026
116 Samuel Zager Dem Portland 2020 2028
117 Matt Moonen Dem Portland 2022 (2012-2020) 2030
118 Rachel Talbot Ross Dem Portland 2016 2024
119 Charles Skold Dem Portland 2022 2030
120 Deqa Dhalac Dem South Portland 2022 2030
121 Christopher Kessler Dem South Portland 2018 2026
122 Matthew Beck Dem South Portland 2024↑ 2032
123 Rebecca Millett Dem Cape Elizabeth 2020 2028
124 Sophia Warren Dem Scarborough 2020 2028
125 Kelly Noonan Murphy Dem Scarborough 2022 2030
126 Drew Gattine Dem Westbrook 2022 (2012-2020) 2030
127 Morgan Rielly Dem Westbrook 2020 2028
128 Suzanne Salisbury Dem Westbrook 2020 2028
129 Margaret O'Neil Dem Saco 2016 2024
130 Lynn Copeland Dem Saco 2020 2028
131 Lori Gramlich Dem Old Orchard Beach 2018 2026
132 Erin Sheehan Dem Biddeford 2020 2028
133 Marc Malon Dem Biddeford 2022 2030
134 Traci Gere Dem Kennebunkport 2020 2028
135 Daniel Sayre Dem Kennebunk 2022 2030
136 Heidi H. Sampson Rep Alfred 2016 2024
137 Nathan Carlow Rep Buxton 2020 2028
138 Mark Blier Rep Buxton 2018 2026
139 David Woodsome Rep Waterboro 2022 2030
140 Wayne Parry Rep Arundel 2020 (2010-2018) 2028
141 Lucas Lanigan Rep Sanford 2022 2030
142 Anne-Marie Mastraccio Dem Sanford 2022 (2012-2020) 2030
143 Ann Fredericks Rep Sanford 2022 2030
144 Jeffrey S. Adams Rep Lebanon 2022 2030
145 Daniel Hobbs Dem Wells 2022 (2018-2020) 2030
146 Walter Runte Dem York 2022 2030
147 Holly Sargent Dem York 2022 2030
148 Thomas Lavigne Rep Berwick 2022 2030
149 Tiffany Roberts Dem South Berwick 2018 2026
150 Michele Meyer Dem Eliot 2018 2026
151 Kristi Mathieson Dem Kittery 2020 2028

Non-voting members[edit]

Representing Representative Party Residence First elected Term-limited
Passamaquoddy Tribe Aaron M. Dana Nptsn Princeton 2022 ?
Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Vacant
Penobscot Nation Vacant

↑ Member was first elected in a special election

Past composition of the House of Representatives[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The Houlton Band of Maliseets and Penobscot Nation have both withdrawn their non-voting Representatives to the Maine House of Representatives.
  2. ^ Includes a Rep.-elect who declined to take the oath of office.
  3. ^ Rep. Clinton E. Collamore (D-45) resigned (resignation effective on this date but received by the Clerk of the House on February 23) after being indicted for aggravated forgery and other charges related to his 2022 campaign.
  4. ^ Rep.-elect Abden Simmons (R-45) is sworn in after winning the June 13 special election triggered by the resignation of Rep. Collamore.
  5. ^ Rep. Sean C. Paulhus (D-50) resigned to become Register of Probate for Sagadahoc County.
  6. ^ Death of Rep. Lois Galgay Reckitt (D-122).
  7. ^ Rep. David Sinclair (D-50) is sworn in after winning the November 7 special election triggered by the resignation of Rep. Paulhus.
  8. ^ Rep. Matthew Beck (D-122) is sworn in after winning the March 5 special election triggered by the death of Rep. Reckitt.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bayly, Julia (January 26, 2012). "Houlton Maliseet, first elected tribal representative to Maine House, looking forward to session". Bangor Daily News.
  2. ^ Moretto, Mario (May 26, 2015). "Passamaquoddy, Penobscot tribes withdraw from Maine Legislature". Bangor Daily News.
  3. ^ "Tribal Representatives to the Maine Legislature, 1823 - | Maine State Legislature". legislature.maine.gov.
  4. ^ "Lawmaker's party switch gives Greens a seat in the Maine House". 22 September 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Maine House of Representatives". legislature.maine.gov.

External links[edit]