Michael Thibodeau Explained

Michael Thibodeau
Office:President of the Maine Senate
Term Start:December 3, 2014
Term End:December 5, 2018
Predecessor:Justin Alfond
Successor:Troy Jackson
State Senate1:Maine
District1:11th
Term Start1:December 3, 2014
Term End1:December 5, 2018
Predecessor1:Richard Woodbury
Successor1:Erin Herbig
State Senate2:Maine
District2:23rd
Term Start2:December 1, 2010
Term End2:December 3, 2014
Predecessor2:Carol Weston
Successor2:Linda Baker
State House3:Maine
District3:42nd
Term Start3:December 1, 2006
Term End3:December 1, 2010
Predecessor3:Jeffrey H. Kaelin
Successor3:Peter B. Rioux
Birth Date:16 July 1966
Birth Place:Winterport, Maine, U.S.
Party:Republican
Spouse:Stacy 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

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Notes and References

  1. News: Vote 2006. October 26, 2006. Bangor Daily News. B6. 21 October 2011.
  2. Web site: Follow the Money. 21 October 2011.
  3. News: Maine House passes gay marriage bill. Harrison. Judy. May 5, 2009. Bangor Daily News. 21 October 2011.
  4. News: Waldo County voters sought change. Curtis. Abigail. November 4, 2010. Bangor Daily News. 21 October 2011.
  5. News: Maine Senators-Elect Pick Floor Leaders. Maine Public Broadcasting Network. 10 November 2012.
  6. Web site: Cousins . Christopher . Thibodeau considering run for 2nd Congressional District seat. Bangordailynews.com . 2013-12-03 . 2013-12-03.
  7. Web site: Moretto . Mario . Republican lawmakers pick Thibodeau for Senate president, restore Fredette as House leader. Bangordailynews.com . 2014-11-07 . 2014-11-07.
  8. Web site: Maine Democrats, GOP pick new Senate leaders. Argus-Press. November 15, 2016. December 10, 2016.
  9. Web site: Maine Senate President Mike Thibodeau jumps into 2018 race for governor. Bangordailynews.com. October 17, 2017. October 17, 2017.
  10. Web site: Shepherd . Michael . Maine Senate President Mike Thibodeau quits GOP race to succeed LePage . https://web.archive.org/web/20181115190756/https://bangordailynews.com/2018/03/26/politics/maine-senate-president-mike-thibodeau-quits-gop-race-to-succeed-lepage/ . dead . 15 November 2018 . Bangor Daily News . 15 November 2018.