Billy Bob Faulkingham
Minority Leader of the Maine House of Representatives
Assumed office
December 7, 2022
Preceded byKathleen Dillingham
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
Assumed office
December 7, 2022
Preceded byErin Sheehan
Constituency12th district
In office
December 5, 2018 – December 7, 2022
Preceded byRichard Malaby
Succeeded byHeidi Sampson
Constituency136th district
Personal details
Born
William Faulkingham
Political partyRepublican
EducationSouthern Maine Community College
WebsiteState House
Military service
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Years of service1999–2002

William "Billy Bob" Faulkingham is an American politician and fisherman who has served in the Maine House of Representatives from the 12th district since 2022. A Republican, Faulkingham is the Minority Leader of the lower house, and previously served in the 136th district from 2018 to 2022.

Education and career

Faulkingham began lobster fishing with his father at age three.[1] He obtained a certificate in plumbing from the Southern Maine Technical College and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1999 to 2002. Faulkingham is currently a self-employed fisherman.

In 2018, Faulkingham was elected to the Maine House of Representatives from the 136th district, and has served there since.[2] In 2022, he ran for the 12th district, winning 2,725 (60.4%) against Independent candidate Roy Gott's 1,787 (39.6%).[3] He was also elected House minority leader by fellow Republicans.[4][5][6][7] He was sworn in as both on December 7, 2022.[8][9]

Bruce Poliquin advertisement

Faulkingham appeared in a television advertisement for former Republican congressman Bruce Poliquin's 2022 campaign to regain his former seat, in which he criticized incumbent Democrat Jared Golden. In the advertisement, he was not identified as a Republican state legislator seeking reelection, which became the subject of criticism. Poliquin's campaign said doing so was necessary to comply with Maine campaign finance laws with regard to Faulkingham's campaign.[10]

Personal life

Faulkingham is a resident of Winter Harbor, Maine. He is married to Carrie Faulkingham, and the couple have three children.[5]

In 2003, Faulkingham pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and disorderly conduct after throwing a bucket of human feces at other people.[11] He was found guilty of driving under the influence in 2008.[12]

On September 15, 2023, Faulkingham's lobster boat capsized due to high seas ahead of Hurricane Lee, which would make landfall in nearby Nova Scotia the next day. He and one other person were rescued by other lobster boats.[13]

Electoral history

2018 Maine House District 136 Republican Primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Billy Bob Faulkingham 711 100.0%
Total votes 711 100.0%
2018 Maine House District 136 General Election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Billy Bob Faulkingham 2,308 57.5%
Democratic Kylie Bragdon 1,704 42.5%
Total votes 4,012 100.0%
2020 Maine House District 136 Republican Primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Billy Bob Faulkingham 897 100%
Total votes 897 100.0%
2020 Maine House District 136 General Election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Billy Bob Faulkingham 3,198 63.5%
Democratic Antonio Blasi 1,835 36.5%
Total votes 5,033 100.0%
2022 Maine House District 12[a] Republican Primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Billy Bob Faulkingham 744 100%
Total votes 744 100.0%
2022 Maine House District 12 General Election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Billy Bob Faulkingham 2,725 60.4%
Independent Roy Gott 1,787 39.6
Total votes 4,512 100.0%

[14]

Notes

  1. ^ Following the 2020 United States census, legislative districts in Maine were re-drawn. House District 136 was re-numbered as District 12.

References

  1. ^ Sharon, Susan (November 4, 2022). "Climate skepticism is rife in Down East Maine. But some say there's room for common ground". Maine Public. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  2. ^ Staff (October 3, 2018). "William "Billy Bob" Faulkingham". Election 2018. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  3. ^ Berleant, Anne (November 9, 2022). "Hutchins unseated in D17 House race: Worth defeats Linnehan". The Ellsworth American. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham". Maine House Republicans. June 30, 2020. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Billy Bob Faulkingham". Maine House of Representatives. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  6. ^ "Some states pay for political candidates. Is it worth it?". WATE 6 On Your Side. November 17, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  7. ^ "Rachel Talbot Ross is set to become the first Black speaker of the Maine House". Maine Public. November 17, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  8. ^ "Photos: Maine Legislature opens 131st session". Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel. December 7, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  9. ^ Billings, Randy (November 14, 2022). "Maine House Republicans choose lobsterman as next minority leader". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  10. ^ Molmund, Jack (October 11, 2022). "Can Bruce Poliquin's ad featuring lobsterman Billy Bob Faulkingham leave out the fact he is a politician?". newscentermaine.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  11. ^ Thistle, Scott (October 19, 2018). "Democrats spotlight criminal records of 4 Republicans running for Legislature". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  12. ^ "Maine's New GOP House Minority Leader Was Once Convicted Of Throwing Poop At People". Second Nexus. November 21, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  13. ^ Eric, Russell (September 18, 2023). "Maine lobsterman and state lawmaker tells how he narrowly survived after his boat capsized Friday". Press Herald. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  14. ^ "Billy Bob Faulkingham". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.

External links

Maine House of Representatives Preceded byKathleen Dillingham Minority Leader of the Maine House of Representatives 2022–present Incumbent
Statewide political officials of Maine
Floor leaders of state houses
Members of the Maine House of Representatives
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