Michael Thibodeau

Michael Thibodeau
President of the Maine Senate
In office
December 3, 2014 – December 5, 2018
Preceded byJustin Alfond
Succeeded byTroy Jackson
Minority Leader of the Maine Senate
In office
December 5, 2012 – December 3, 2014
Preceded byBarry Hobbins
Succeeded byJustin Alfond
Member of the Maine Senate
from the 11th district
In office
December 3, 2014 – December 5, 2018
Preceded byRichard G. 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
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 October 21, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Follow the Money". Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  3. ^ Harrison, Judy (May 5, 2009). "Maine House passes gay marriage bill". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  4. ^ Curtis, Abigail (November 4, 2010). "Waldo County voters sought change". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  5. ^ "Maine Senators-Elect Pick Floor Leaders". Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  6. ^ Cousins, Christopher (December 3, 2013). "Thibodeau considering run for 2nd Congressional District seat". Bangordailynews.com. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  7. ^ Moretto, Mario (November 7, 2014). "Republican lawmakers pick Thibodeau for Senate president, restore Fredette as House leader". Bangordailynews.com. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  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 November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2018.