Michael Thibodeau
President of the Maine Senate
In office
December 3, 2014 – December 5, 2018
Preceded byJustin Alfond
Succeeded byTroy Jackson
Member of the Maine Senate
from the 11th district
In office
December 3, 2014 – December 5, 2018
Preceded byRichard Woodbury
Succeeded byErin Herbig
Member of the Maine Senate
from the 23rd district
In office
December 1, 2010 – December 3, 2014
Preceded byCarol Weston
Succeeded byLinda Baker
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
from the 42nd district
In office
December 1, 2006 – December 1, 2010
Preceded byJeffrey H. Kaelin
Succeeded byPeter B. Rioux
Personal details
Born (1966-07-16) July 16, 1966 (age 57)
Winterport, Maine, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseStacy Thibodeau

Michael D. Thibodeau (born July 16, 1966) is an American politician and businessman from Maine. He was 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 selectmen of Winterport.[1]

Career

In 2006, Thibodeau defeated Winterport Charter Commissioner Donna Gilbert after Rep. Jeffrey Kaelin withdrew. He ran as a Clean Elections candidate.[2]

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.[2]

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".[3]

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.[2][4]

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.[5]

Thibodeau announced on December 3, 2013, that he was considering entering the 2014 Second District congressional race.[6]

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.[7]

Thibodeau was reelected Senate President after his party held their majority, albeit a two-seat loss to the Democrats.[8]

On October 17, 2017, Thibodeau announced his run for the 2018 Maine gubernatorial election.[9]

On March 26, 2018, it was announced that Thibodeau had withdrawn from the 2018 Maine Gubernatorial Election.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b "Vote 2006". Bangor Daily News. October 26, 2006. p. B6. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Follow the Money". Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  3. ^ Harrison, Judy (May 5, 2009). "Maine House passes gay marriage bill". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  4. ^ Curtis, Abigail (November 4, 2010). "Waldo County voters sought change". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  5. ^ "Maine Senators-Elect Pick Floor Leaders". Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  6. ^ Cousins, Christopher (2013-12-03). "Thibodeau considering run for 2nd Congressional District seat". Bangordailynews.com. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  7. ^ Moretto, Mario (2014-11-07). "Republican lawmakers pick Thibodeau for Senate president, restore Fredette as House leader". Bangordailynews.com. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
  8. ^ "Maine Democrats, GOP pick new Senate leaders". Argus-Press. November 15, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  9. ^ "Maine Senate President Mike Thibodeau jumps into 2018 race for governor". Bangordailynews.com. October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  10. ^ Shepherd, Michael. "Maine Senate President Mike Thibodeau quits GOP race to succeed LePage". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
Maine House of Representatives Preceded byJeffrey H. Kaelin Member of the Maine House of Representativesfrom the 42nd district 2006–2010 Succeeded byPeter B. Rioux Maine Senate Preceded byCarol Weston Member of the Maine Senatefrom the 23rd district 2010–2014 Succeeded byLinda Baker Preceded byRichard Woodbury Member of the Maine Senatefrom the 11th district 2014–2018 Succeeded byErin Herbig Political offices Preceded byJustin Alfond President of the Maine Senate 2014–2018 Succeeded byTroy Jackson


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