Diane Russell | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Maine House of Representatives for the 120th District | |
| In office December 3, 2008 – December 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Anne Rand |
| Succeeded by | Michael Sylvester |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 9, 1976 Bryant Pond, Maine, U.S. |
| 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 served in the Maine House of Representatives. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
When Russell first ran for the State House in 2008, she was working as a cashier at a local convenience store.[1] She served on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee and the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.[2][3]
In 2011, The Nation magazine named her "Most Valuable State Representative" on its annual Progressive Honor Roll.[4]
In 2011, Russell introduced a bill to legalize marijuana in Maine. The bill, LD 1453, was voted down in committee (3-8) in March[5] and down by the House of Representatives in June.[6] After being re-elected in 2012, Russell introduced a similar bill to legalize marijuana in 2013. It was co-sponsored by Republican Rep. Aaron Libby.[7][8]
In November 2012, Russell unsuccessfully sought the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives position, losing in a Democratic Party caucus vote to Mark Eves of York County.[9]
In 2016, Russell, who was barred by Maine's term limits law from running again for a House seat, ran for a seat in the Maine Senate, and lost in the Democratic primary election, coming in third among the three candidates.[10]
On August 10, 2017, Russell announced her campaign for Governor of Maine in the 2018 race.[11] She finished sixth of seven candidates on the ballot with 2.2%.
Russell is a native of Woodstock, Maine, and is a graduate of Leavitt Area High School.[12] She received a B.A. in media studies from the University of Southern Maine.[12] She has also worked as a public relations consultant.[12]