Diane Russell
| Diane Russell | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Maine House of Representatives for the 120th District | |
|
Assumed office December 3, 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Anne Rand |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 9, 1976 Bryant Pond, Maine |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Portland, Maine |
| Alma mater | University of Southern Maine |
| Profession | Public relations consultant |
Diane Marie Russell (born August 9, 1976) is an American politician who serves in the Maine House of Representatives. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Political career
When Russell first ran for the State House in 2008, she was working as a cashier at a local convenience store.[1] She currently serves on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee and the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.[2][3] Russell has sponsored a bill that would fully legalize and tax the sale of marijuana.[4]
In 2011, The Nation magazine named her "Most Valuable State Representative" on its annual Progressive Honor Roll.[5]
In 2011, Russell introduced a bill to legalize marijuana in Maine. The bill, LD 1453, was voted down in committee (3-8) in March[6] and down by the House of Representatives in June.[7]
After being re-elected in 2012, Russell again introduced a similar bill to legalize marijuana in 2013. It is co-sponsored by Republican Rep. Aaron Libby.[8]
In November 2012, Russell unsuccessfully sought the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives position, losing out in a Democratic Party caucus vote to Mark Eves of York County.[9]
Personal life
Russell is a native of Woodstock, Maine, and is a graduate of Leavitt Area High School.[10] She received a B.A. in media studies from the University of Southern Maine.[10] She has also worked as a public relations consultant.[10]
References
- ↑ "From Behind the Counter: A Different View of the 47%". huffingtonpost.com. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ↑ "Representative Diane Marie Russell's Biography". votesmart.org. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ↑ "Diane Russell". maine.gov. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ↑ Byrne, Matt; Hoey, Dennis. "Maine lawmaker seeks to legalize marijuana". pressherald.com. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ↑ "The Progressive Honor Roll of 2011". thenation.com. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ↑ Haskell, Meg (March 14, 2011). "Lawmakers vote down marijuana legalization but ease access to medical pot". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
- ↑ Miller, Kevin (June 14, 2011). "House votes against fully legalizing pot". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ Cousins, Christopher (February 21, 2013). "Democratic and Republican legislators unite on bill to legalize and tax marijuana". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ↑ Carkhuff, David (November 14, 2012). "Russell vies for Speaker of the House post; Alfond tapped in Senate". Portland Daily Sun. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Diane Russell". emergemaine.org. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
External links
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