Maine House of Representatives

Last updated
Maine House of Representatives
Maine State Legislature
Seal of Maine.svg
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)
Maine House voting July 14, 2023.svg
Political groups
Majority
  •    Democratic (80)

Minority

Other

Vacant

MaineHouse2022non-voting.svg
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
Maine House of Representatives 2014.jpg
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.

Contents

The House meets at the Maine State House in Augusta.

Leadership of the House

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

AffiliationParty
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Democratic Republican Green Ind. Independ. Nonpart. Vacant
Begin 126th Legislature (Dec. 2012)8958041510
End 126th Legislature571501
Begin 127th Legislature (Dec. 2014)7968041510
End 127th Legislature7869
Begin 128th Legislature (Dec. 2016)7772021510
End 128th Legislature7370161501
Begin 129th Legislature (Dec. 2018) [lower-alpha 3] 8957051510
End 129th Legislature875661492
Begin 130th Legislature (Dec. 2020)8067041510
End 130th Legislature766331429
Begin 131st Legislature (Dec. 2022)8267021510
February 16, 2023 [lower-alpha 4] 811501
June 14, 2023 [lower-alpha 5] 681510
July 14, 2023 [lower-alpha 6] 801501
October 30, 2023 [lower-alpha 7] 791492
November 9, 2023 [lower-alpha 8] 801501
March 6, 2024 [lower-alpha 9] 811510
April 1, 2024 [lower-alpha 10] 801501
Latest voting share
Non-voting members112

Nonvoting members of the House

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. [2]

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. [3]

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. [4]

Independents and other parties

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. [5]

Officers

PositionRepresentative [6] PartyHometown
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

Map of partisan composition of the Maine House of Representatives by district (slightly out of date; this map reflects the situation from July 14, 2023 until October 30, 2023):
Republican representative
Democratic representative
Independent representative
Vacant seat Maine House of Representatives map current.svg
Map of partisan composition of the Maine House of Representatives by district (slightly out of date; this map reflects the situation from July 14, 2023 until October 30, 2023):
  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

DistrictRepresentative [6] PartyResidenceFirst electedTerm-limited
1 Austin Theriault Rep Fort Kent 20222030
2 Roger Albert Rep Madawaska 20222030
3 Mark Babin Rep Fort Fairfield 20222030
4 Timothy Guerrette Rep Caribou 20222030
5 Joseph F. Underwood Rep Presque Isle 20202028
6 Donald Ardell Rep Monticello 20222030
7 Gregory Swallow Rep Houlton 2022 (2018-2020)2030
8 Tracy Quint Rep Hodgdon 20202028
9 Anne C. Perry Dem Calais 2016 (2002-2010)2024
10 Kenneth Davis Jr. Rep East Machias 20222030
11 Tiffany Strout Rep Harrington 20222030
12 Billy Bob Faulkingham Rep Winter Harbor 20182026
13 James Worth Dem Ellsworth 20222030
14Vacant
15 Holly Eaton Dem Deer Isle 20222030
16 Nina Milliken Dem Blue Hill 20222030
17 Ronald B. Russell Dem Verona Island 20222030
18 Meldon Carmichael Rep Greenbush 20202028
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 20222030
22 Laura Supica Dem Bangor 20202028
23 Amy Roeder Dem Bangor 20202028
24 Joe Perry Dem Bangor 2019↑ (1996-2004)2026
25 Laurie Osher Dem Orono 20202028
26 Jim Dill Dem Old Town 2022 (2010-2014)2030
27 Gary Drinkwater Rep Milford 20182026
28 Irene Gifford Rep Lincoln 20222030
29 Kathy Irene Javner Rep Chester 20182026
30 James Lee White Rep Guilford 20222030
31 Chad R. Perkins Rep Dover-Foxcroft 20222030
32 Steven D. Foster Rep Dexter 20182026
33 Danny Costain Rep Plymouth 20182026
34 Abigail Griffin Rep Levant 20182026
35 James E. Thorne Rep Carmel 20202028
36 David Haggan Rep Hampden 20162024
37 Reagan Paul Rep Winterport 20222030
38 Benjamin C. Hymes Rep Waldo 20222030
39 Janice Dodge Dem Belfast 20182026
40 Stanley Zeigler Dem Montville 20162024
41 Victoria Doudera Dem Camden 20182026
42 Valli Geiger Dem Rockland 20202028
43 Ann Matlack Dem St. George 20182026
44 William Pluecker Ind Warren 20182026
45 Abden Simmons Rep Waldoboro 2023↑ (2016–2018)2030
46 Lydia Crafts Dem Newcastle 20202028
47 Edward Polewarczyk Rep Wiscasset 20222030
48 Holly Stover Dem Boothbay 20182026
49 Allison Hepler Dem Woolwich 20182026
50 David Sinclair Dem Bath 2023↑2032
51 Rebecca Jauch Dem Topsham 20222030
52 Sally Cluchey Dem Bowdoinham 20222030
53 Michael Lemelin Rep Chelsea 20202028
54 Karen Montell Dem Gardiner 20222030
55 Daniel Shagoury Dem Hallowell 20222030
56 Randall Greenwood Rep Wales 2020 (2014-2016)2028
57 Tavis Hasenfus Dem Readfield 20202028
58 Daniel J. Newman Rep Belgrade 20202028
59 Raegan LaRochelle Dem Augusta 2021↑2030
60 William Bridgeo Dem Augusta 20222030
61 Richard Bradstreet Rep Vassalboro 20162024
62Katrina SmithRep Palermo 20222030
63 Scott Cyrway Rep Albion 20222030
64 Colleen Madigan Dem Waterville 20162024
65 Bruce A. White Dem Waterville 20182026
66 Robert Nutting Rep Oakland 2022 (1998–2006; 2008–2016)2030
67Shelley RudnickiRep Fairfield 20182026
68Amanda CollamoreRep Pittsfield 20202028
69 Dean Cray Rep Palmyra 2022 (2006-2014)2030
70Jennifer PoirierRep Skowhegan 20202028
71John DucharmeRep Madison 20202028
72Larry DunphyRep Embden 2022 (2010-2016)2030
73 Michael Soboleski Rep Phillips 20222030
74Randall HallRep Wilton 20182026
75 H. Scott Landry Dem Farmington 20182026
76Sheila LymanRep Livermore Falls 20202028
77Tammy Schmersal-BurgessRep Mexico 20222030
78Rachel A. HendersonRep Rumford 20222030
79 John Andrews Rep Paris 20182026
80 Caldwell Jackson Rep Oxford 20222030
81 Sawin Millett Rep Waterford 2018 (1968–1972; 2002–2010)2026
82 Caleb Ness Rep Fryeburg 20222030
83Walter RisemanInd Harrison 20182026
84 Mark Walker Rep Naples 20222030
85Kimberly PomerleauRep Standish 20222030
86 Jessica Fay Dem Raymond 20162024
87David BoyerRep Poland 20222030
88 Kathy Shaw Dem Auburn 20222030
89 Adam R. Lee Dem Auburn 20222030
90 Laurel Libby Rep Auburn 20202028
91 Joshua Morris Rep Turner 20182026
92Stephen J. WoodRep Sabattus 2022 (2010-2018)2030
93 Margaret Craven Dem Lewiston 2018 (2002-2008)2026
94 Kristen Cloutier Dem Lewiston 20182026
95 Mana Abdi Dem Lewiston 20222030
96 Michel Lajoie Dem Lewiston 2022 (2008-2016)2030
97 Richard G. Mason Rep Lisbon 2017↑2026
98Joseph GallettaRep Durham 20222030
99 Cheryl Golek Dem Harpswell 20222030
100 Daniel Ankeles Dem Brunswick 20222030
101 Poppy Arford Dem Brunswick 20202028
102 Melanie Sachs Dem Freeport 20202028
103 Arthur L. Bell Dem Yarmouth 20202028
104 Amy Arata Rep New Gloucester 20182026
105 Anne P. Graham Dem North Yarmouth 2022 (2010-2014)2030
106Barbara BagshawRep Windham 20222030
107 Jane Pringle Dem Windham 2022 (2012-2014)2030
108 Maureen Terry Dem Gorham 20162024
109 James Boyle Dem Gorham 2022↑2030
110 Stephen Moriarty Dem Cumberland 2019↑ (2012-2014)2026
111 Amy Kuhn Dem Falmouth 20222030
112 W. Edward Crockett Dem Portland 20182026
113 Grayson Lookner Dem Portland 20202028
114 Benjamin Collings Dem Portland 20162024
115 Michael F. Brennan Dem Portland 2018 (1992-2000)2026
116 Samuel Zager Dem Portland 20202028
117 Matt Moonen Dem Portland 2022 (2012-2020)2030
118 Rachel Talbot Ross Dem Portland 20162024
119 Charles Skold Dem Portland 20222030
120 Deqa Dhalac Dem South Portland 20222030
121 Christopher Kessler Dem South Portland 20182026
122 Matthew D. Beck Dem South Portland 2024↑2032
123 Rebecca Millett Dem Cape Elizabeth 20202028
124 Sophia Warren Dem Scarborough 20202028
125 Kelly Noonan Murphy Dem Scarborough 20222030
126 Drew Gattine Dem Westbrook 2022 (2012-2020)2030
127 Morgan Rielly Dem Westbrook 20202028
128 Suzanne Salisbury Dem Westbrook 20202028
129 Margaret O'Neil Dem Saco 20162024
130 Lynn Copeland Dem Saco 20202028
131 Lori Gramlich Dem Old Orchard Beach 20182026
132 Erin Sheehan Dem Biddeford 20202028
133 Marc Malon Dem Biddeford 20222030
134 Traci Gere Dem Kennebunkport 20202028
135 Daniel Sayre Dem Kennebunk 20222030
136 Heidi H. Sampson Rep Alfred 20162024
137 Nathan Carlow Rep Buxton 20202028
138Mark BlierRep Buxton 20182026
139 David Woodsome Rep Waterboro 20222030
140 Wayne Parry Rep Arundel 2020 (2010-2018)2028
141Lucas LaniganRep Sanford 20222030
142 Anne-Marie Mastraccio Dem Sanford 2022 (2012-2020)2030
143Ann FredericksRep Sanford 20222030
144Jeffrey S. AdamsRep Lebanon 20222030
145 Daniel Hobbs Dem Wells 2022 (2018-2020)2030
146 Walter Runte Dem York 20222030
147 Holly Sargent Dem York 20222030
148Thomas LavigneRep Berwick 20222030
149 Tiffany Roberts Dem South Berwick 20182026
150 Michele Meyer Dem Eliot 20182026
151 Kristi Mathieson Dem Kittery 20202028

Non-voting members

RepresentingRepresentativePartyResidenceFirst electedTerm-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

See also

Notes

  1. The seat of Lynne Williams, who resigned on April 1, 2024 to accept a position as Workers Compensation Mediator with the State of Maine. [1]
  2. The Houlton Band of Maliseets and Penobscot Nation have both withdrawn their non-voting Representatives to the Maine House of Representatives.
  3. Includes a Rep.-elect who declined to take the oath of office.
  4. 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.
  5. Rep.-elect Abden Simmons (R-45) is sworn in after winning the June 13 special election triggered by the resignation of Rep. Collamore.
  6. Rep. Sean C. Paulhus (D-50) resigned to become Register of Probate for Sagadahoc County.
  7. Death of Rep. Lois Galgay Reckitt (D-122).
  8. Rep. David Sinclair (D-50) is sworn in after winning the November 7 special election triggered by the resignation of Rep. Paulhus.
  9. Rep. Matthew Beck (D-122) is sworn in after winning the March 5 special election triggered by the death of Rep. Reckitt.
  10. Rep. Lynne Williams (D-14) resigned to accept a position as Workers Compensation Mediator with the State of Maine. [1]

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    References

    1. 1 2 Othot, Seamus (April 5, 2024). "Rep. Lynn Williams Quietly Retires from Office, Shrinking Maine Democrats' House Majority". Maine Wire.
    2. Bayly, Julia (January 26, 2012). "Houlton Maliseet, first elected tribal representative to Maine House, looking forward to session". Bangor Daily News.
    3. Moretto, Mario (May 26, 2015). "Passamaquoddy, Penobscot tribes withdraw from Maine Legislature". Bangor Daily News.
    4. "Tribal Representatives to the Maine Legislature, 1823 - | Maine State Legislature". legislature.maine.gov.
    5. "Lawmaker's party switch gives Greens a seat in the Maine House". 22 September 2017.
    6. 1 2 "Maine House of Representatives". legislature.maine.gov.