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Hannah Pingree Elected Governor with Strong Pro-Labor Majorities in Maine Legislature

Andy O’Brien
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Maine AFL-CIO endorsed candidate for Governor, Hannah Pingree won a resounding victory in the Governor's race. She was elected Governor along with a very strong pro-labor majority in the Maine Legislature. The Governor-elect said her focus will be on housing, healthcare and building stronger communities.

"A big majority is not a license to go it alone. It is a promise to get it done well," Pingree said in a press conference. "I will work with Democrats, Republicans, independents, tribal leaders, local officials, unions, business owners, nurses, teachers, farmers, loggers and fishermen. If you've got a good idea, my door will be open."

The Maine House of Representatives now has a 87 seat majority with 61 Republicans and three independents. The Maine Senate has 24-11 Democratic majority. Several union members who took our Worker Candidate Training were also elected on election night, including:

  • Senator-Elect Mike Scott (IAFF 797) in Senate District 20 (Auburn). Mike is Professional Firefighters President
  • Senator-Elect Amy Roeder (SAG-AFTRA, AEA, PATFA-AFT) in Senate District 9 (Bangor and Hermon).
  • Rep.-Elect Trent Vellella (BMDA-UAW 399) in House District 49 (Arrowsic, Georgetown, Phippsburg, West Bath, and Woolwich). Trent is also President of the Bath Marine Draftsman’s Association (UAW 3999).
  • Rep.-Elect Jason Shedlock (LIUNA 327) in House District 121 (South Portland). Jason is the president of both Maine Building and Construction Trades Council and the Southern Maine Labor Council.
  • Rep.-Elect Katrina Ray-Saulis (MSEA-SEIU 1989) in House District 59 (Augusta).
  • Rep. Matt Beck (IBEW 1837) in House District 122 (South Portland)
  • Rep. Kilton Webb (IBEW 567) in House District 98 (Durham, Pownal, Lisbon and parts of Bowdoin and Topsham
  • Rep. John Henkelman, (UAW) in House District 143 (Sanford)

Matt Beck, Trent Vellella, Mike Scott, Kilton Webb, Bradley Youngs, Katrina Ray-Saulis, Amy Roeder & Pam Hart.
 

We also want to congratulate Worker Candidate Training graduates Pam Hart of Auburn and Bradley Youngs of Windham who flipped two House seats held by some of the most anti-labor candidates in the Legislature. In addition, union members Sen. Chip Curry (MEA, Waldo Cty), Sen. Mike Tipping (MSEA-SEIU 1989) and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (CWA, Biddeford) were re-elected. Unfortunately, not all of our union worker candidates prevailed in their election.

We want to thank Zach Lejonhud of Pittsfield (IBEW 1253), Robin Upton-Sukeforth (MSEA-SEIU 1998) of Litchfield, Arlie Hetrick (IUPAT) of Dixfield, Nate Burnett (MEA) of Hiram, Mark Vigliotta of Lebanon (IAM 836),  and David McCrea (MEA) of Fort Fairfield for running strong races and working hard in very tough areas.

Now begins the real work with the new Governor and Legislature to deliver our Contract for Maine’s Working Class to make life more affordable for working class Mainers!