Laurel Libby

Last updated

“Let's talk about the Nazis. I would like to know, although I'm not posing a question through the chair, I would like to know what they did that was illegal. I would like to know what they did, in detail if folks would like to share, that was wrong, that infringed on another person's right. Holding a rally, and even holding a rally with guns, is not illegal." [38]

A clip of her remarks went viral, sparking outrage and reaching a number of national news outlets in the United States. [38] [39] [12]

Transgender athlete post and legislative censure

Libby attracted attention in 2025 for sharing a Facebook post about a transgender athlete competing in and winning a girl's pole-vaulting competition, including the athlete's name and photo. [40] [41] Libby criticized the athlete's inclusion on the team, saying in an interview with WMTW TV "Girls' sports has come a long way and I think we have a responsibility to protect girls' sports, to protect Maine girls, and to ensure they have a level playing field." [42]

Libby was subsequently censured by the House along party lines over the post and was denied the right to speak or vote in the House until she apologized. House Speaker Ryan Fecteau said that the post could create health and safety issues. [3] [41] Libby and several of her constituents appealed her suspension to federal court, seeking reinstatement of her speaking and voting rights. Libby and her constituents argued that the restrictions violated Libby's right to free speech and deprived her constituents of their vote. [41] [43] [44] U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose ruled against Libby's request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the sanction, citing legislative immunity from litigation. [41] [45] The First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston denied her request for an emergency stay. Libby subsequently appealed to the United States Supreme Court. [46] On May 20, 2025, the Supreme Court ordered the Maine legislature to restore Libby's voting rights while her appeal is pending. [47] [48] Libby subsequently asked the First Circuit Court of Appeals to restore her speaking rights in the legislature while the appeal is pending as well. [49] On June 25, 2025, the Maine House voted to restore Libby's speaking rights. [50]

Fundraising and national affiliations

Libby participates actively with Club for Growth, Young Americans for Liberty and the Leadership Institute. [12] She is a prominent fundraiser in Maine and controls two political action committees, Fight for Freedom and Dinner Table Action, which fund efforts to elect Republicans throughout the state. She has used PAC funds to purchase firearms to raffle to supporters as part of her fundraising efforts. [12] [51]

Personal life

Libby attends East Auburn Baptist Church in Auburn. [13] She enjoys running [9] and design, [52] and owns and operates Dawson Interiors, a decorating and real estate staging business. [53] [10] [4]

She has been married to John Libby, a physical therapist, [52] since 2005. [13] They have five children. [5] [52]

Electoral record

Laurel Libby
Laurel Libby by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
Libby in 2024
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
Assumed office
December 2020
2020 Maine House district 64 Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Laurel Libby 606 100.0%
Total votes606 100.0%
2020 Maine House district 64 general election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Laurel Libby 2,949 54.4%
Democratic Bettyann Sheats2,47145.6%
Total votes4,743 100.0%
2022 Maine House district 90 Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Laurel Libby 345 100.0%
Total votes345 100.0%
2022 Maine House district 90 general election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Laurel Libby 3,075 100.0%
Total votes3,075 100.0%
2024 Maine House district 90 Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Laurel Libby 473 100.0%
Total votes473 100.0%
2024 Maine House district 90 general election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Laurel Libby 2,817 51.6%
Democratic Daniel Campbell2,64648.4%
Total votes5,463 100.0%

References

  1. Libby, Laurel. "Maine State Rep. Laurel Libby Controversy" . Legistorm. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  2. Andrews, Caitlin (May 24, 2021). "7 conservative Maine lawmakers booted from committees after mask-rule protest". Bangor Daily News . Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  3. 1 2 VanSickle, Abbie (May 20, 2025). "Supreme Court Orders Maine House to Restore Voting Power to Censured Lawmaker, for Now". The New York Times . Archived from the original on May 20, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 "Laurel Libby of Auburn to seek third term in State House". Sun Journal. March 13, 2024. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Meet Laurel". Laurel Libby, State Representative. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  6. "Newsmakers for the week of April 28, 2003". Westside News & Greece News. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  7. "2002 AMC Championship Results". Cedarville University Digital Commons. November 9, 2002. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  8. "Women's Cross Country Division Archives" (PDF). National Christian College Athletic Association. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
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  10. 1 2 3 "Laurel Libby seeks state House seat for Auburn and Minot". Sun Journal. May 11, 2020. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  11. Libby, Laurel (May 23, 2019). "An opportunity squandered". Sun Journal. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Meyer, Judith (November 6, 2024). "Laurel Libby beats Dan Campbell for Maine House seat by 171 votes". Sun Journal. Archived from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
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  14. 1 2 3 McFadden, Alyce (October 20, 2020). "Rep. Sheats faces super PAC-backed challenger in Auburn". Maine Beacon. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
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  25. Libby, Laurel (December 27, 2020). "Op-Ed: Are Lockdowns Benefiting the Elderly?". laurellibby.com. Sun Journal. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
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  28. Thistle, Scott (January 28, 2021). "Maine State House leaders tighten policy aimed at preventing spread of COVID-19". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  29. Collins, Steve (August 18, 2021). "Auburn's Laurel Libby insists 'this is war' to block vaccine mandates". Sun Journal. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
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  36. "Maine lawmakers lose assignments after mask confrontation". WMTW. May 25, 2021. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  37. Collins, Steve (May 26, 2021). "State House speaker zings Auburn's Laurel Libby". Lewiston Sun Journal. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  38. 1 2 Barber, Rachel (April 8, 2024). "'Let's talk about the Nazis': Maine lawmaker stands by comments that sparked swift backlash". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  39. Sharp, David (April 7, 2024). "GOP lawmaker says neo-Nazi comments taken out of context in debate over paramilitary training". Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  40. "Transgender Athlete's Win in Maine Sparks Backlash". Newsweek. February 20, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  41. 1 2 3 4 "Supreme Court requires clerk to count votes by lawmaker censured for social media post about transgender athlete". SCOTUSblog . May 20, 2025.
  42. Mundry, Jackie (February 20, 2025). "Maine lawmaker's social media post highlights controversy surrounding trans athletes in girls' sports". WMTW . Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  43. Migdon, Brooke (March 11, 2025). "Maine Republican who posted photos of trans student sues state House speaker over censure".
  44. Reid, Paula (March 11, 2025). "Republican Maine lawmaker sues over censure following viral post about transgender student athlete | CNN Politics". CNN.
  45. Whittle, Patrick (April 18, 2025). "Court rules against Republican lawmaker in lawsuit over censure for post about transgender athlete". Associated Press. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  46. "Maine lawmaker censured for post on transgender girls in sports appeals to Supreme Court". CNN. April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  47. "Rep. Laurel Libby regains right to vote in House from Supreme Court". Portland Press Herald . May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  48. "Laurel Libby regains vote in Maine House, but must remain silent on House floor". Portland Press Herald. May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  49. "Laurel Libby seeks reinstatement of her right to speak on House floor". Portland Press Herald. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  50. "Maine House votes to restore Rep. Laurel Libby's speaking privileges". Portland Press Herald. June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  51. Billings, Randy (February 18, 2024). "Special funds let Maine lawmakers raise and spend with few limits". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  52. 1 2 3 Wright, Virginia (December 2019). "Stylishly Sensible: Laurel Libby gives her Auburn bungalow a sensible makeover". Maine Homes. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  53. "Rep. Laurel Libby". Maine House Republicans. December 7, 2020. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.