Michael Thibodeau

Michael Thibodeau
President of the Maine Senate
Assumed office
December 3, 2014
Preceded by Justin Alfond
Member of the Maine Senate
from the 23rd district
Assumed office
December 2010
Preceded by Carol Weston
Personal details
Born (1966-07-16) July 16, 1966
Winterport, Maine, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Stacy Thibodeau
Religion Christianity

Michael D. Thibodeau (born July 16, 1966) is an American politician and businessperson from Maine. Thibodeau is the President of the Maine Senate and first in line to become Governor of Maine in the event of a vacancy. He is a Republican State Senator from Maine's 23rd District, representing all of Waldo County. He graduated from Hampden Academy in 1984.[1] He was first elected to the Maine State Senate in 2010 after serving from 2006 to 2010 as state representative. He also served on the Board of Selectman of Winterport.[1] He is chair of the Energy, Utilities and Technology committee in the State Senate.[2]

Career

In 2006, Thibodeau defeated Winterport Charter Commissioner Donna Gilbert after Rep. Jeffrey Kaelin withdrew. He ran as a Clean Elections candidate.[3]

In 2008, Thibodeau, running as an incumbent, was narrowly re-elected over Seth Yentes after spending nearly $10,000 of his own money and over $13,000 overall on his re-election campaign.[3]

An outspoken critic of same-sex marriage in Maine, Thibodeau voted against a 2009 bill to legalize it, saying "Let’s be honest. This isn’t about civil rights. It’s about a social agenda that tears at the very fabric of our society".[4]

In 2010, Thibodeau sought District 23 in the Maine Senate, where he sought to replace fellow Republican Carol Weston. Running as a clean elections candidate, defeated fellow state representative and former House Majority Leader John Piotti with 54% of the vote in the two-way race.[3][5]

In 2012, he successfully sought re-election. Following the election which featured Republicans losing control of both the State Senate and House of Representatives, Thibodeau was named Republican minority leader of the Maine Senate.[6]

Thibodeau announced on December 3, 2013, that he was considering entering the 2014 Second District congressional race. [7]

Upon his party obtaining the majority in the November 4, 2014 legislative elections, Thibodeau was chosen to be Senate President when the new legislative session begins on December 3, 2014. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Vote 2006". Bangor Daily News. October 26, 2006. p. B6. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  2. ↑ "Senator Michael D. Thibodeau". Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 "Follow the Money". Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  4. ↑ Harrison, Judy (May 5, 2009). "Maine House passes gay marriage bill". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  5. ↑ Curtis, Abigail (November 4, 2010). "Waldo County voters sought change". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  6. ↑ "Maine Senators-Elect Pick Floor Leaders". Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  7. ↑ Cousins, Christopher (2013-12-03). "Thibodeau considering run for 2nd Congressional District seat". Bangordailynews.com. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  8. ↑ Moretto, Mario (2014-11-07). "Republican lawmakers pick Thibodeau for Senate president, restore Fredette as House leader". Bangordailynews.com. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
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