Garrett Mason Explained

Garrett Mason
Office:Majority Leader of the Maine Senate
Term Start:December 3, 2014
Term End:December 5, 2018
Predecessor:Troy Jackson
Successor:Nate Libby
State Senate1:Maine
District1:22nd
Term Start1:December 3, 2014
Term End1:December 5, 2018
Predecessor1:Edward Mazurek
Successor1:Jeffrey Timberlake
State Senate2:Maine
District2:17th
Term Start2:December 8, 2010
Term End2:December 3, 2014
Predecessor2:John Nutting
Successor2:Thomas Saviello
Birth Date:19 June 1985
Birth Place:Lewiston, Maine, U.S.
Party:Republican
Education:Pensacola Christian College (BA)
Southern New Hampshire University
Art Institute of Pittsburgh

Garrett Paul Mason (born June 19, 1985) is an American politician from Maine.[1] [2] A Republican, Mason formerly served in the Maine State Senate from the 22nd District, representing part of Androscoggin County, including his residence in Lisbon Falls.[3] In 2003, he graduated from Calvary Christian Academy in Turner. In 2006, Mason graduated from Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida with a B.A. in marketing. He also completed graduate work at Southern New Hampshire University and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. After college, Mason worked for the AA baseball team Portland Sea Dogs and as director of administration for the QJMHL hockey team Lewiston Maineiacs.[1] He also received at honorary doctorate in Humanities from Pensacola Christian College in 2018.

In November 2010, Mason defeated incumbent Democrat and Leeds dairy farmer John Nutting. The Maine Republican Party spent $50,000 on television and radio ads against Nutting.[4]

During his first term in the Maine Senate, Mason sponsored a bill to allow charter schools in Maine. It was signed by Governor Paul LePage in June 2011.[5]

Mason was re-elected in 2012 by 28 votes over Democrat Colleen Quint of Minot.[6]

In June 2013, upon news that incumbent Congressman Mike Michaud had taken steps towards running for governor, Mason was said to be "seriously considering a run" for the Republican nomination.[7]

After Republicans took control of the Maine Senate in 2014, Mason was elected Senate Majority Leader, a position he held until he termed out in 2018.

Family

Mason's mother Gina Mason and their cousin Dale J. Crafts also served in the Maine Legislature. After his mother died in September 2017, his father Rick Mason won a special election to fill her vacant seat.[8] [9] [10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Senator Garrett P. Mason. Government of Maine. 25 November 2011.
  2. Web site: Senator Garrett Paul Mason. 25 November 2011.
  3. Web site: Senator Garrett Mason. https://web.archive.org/web/20151026150025/http://legisweb1.mainelegislature.org/wp/senate/senator-information/senators/mason/. dead. 26 October 2015. Maine Senate. 4 October 2016.
  4. News: Mason unseats Nutting for Senate seat. Hannon. Andie. November 3, 2010. Lewiston Sun Journal. 25 November 2011.
  5. News: LePage signs bill to allow charter schools in Maine. Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. 14 June 2013.
  6. Web site: Secretary of State Announces Senate District 17 Recount Results and Schedule for Upcoming Recounts. 14 June 2013.
  7. News: If Michaud's seat opens, scramble's on. Russell. Eric. June 14, 2013. Portland Press Herald. 14 June 2013.
  8. News: . Maine representative passes away unexpectedly . 12 January 2020 . . September 6, 2017.
  9. News: Cousins . Christopher . Maine Senate leader’s mom running for House seat . 12 January 2020 . State & Capitol . Bangor Daily News . February 29, 2016.
  10. 'Late Maine lawmaker's husband will succeed her in Lisbon seat,' Bangor Daily News (Maine), Michael Shepherd, November 7, 2017