Senator Mattie Daughtry and Representative Kristen Cloutier at a 2023 meeting in support of their bill to establish a paid family and medical leave system. (via Senator Mattie Daughtry/ Facebook)
Democrats in the Maine Senate elected Senator Mattie Daughtry of Brunswick as speaker of the chamber, leading the Democrats’ majority. enforced on November 5although likely by smaller margins as the final counts are tallied.
“Our voters count on us to continue to stand up against cruel and unjust federal policies,” Daughtry shared in a statement Thursday evening after the vote. “I will take our messages very seriously because we have a duty to expand our reach, not alienate people.”
A lifelong Brunswick resident and small business owner, Daughtry has served in the Maine Legislature since 2012, when she was first elected to the Maine House of Representatives at age 25. After serving in the House until 2020, Daughtry was elected to the Senate and two years later became assistant majority leader.
On Tuesday, Daughtry won re-election with 69% of the vote, up from 95% of votes counted, according to The Associated Press.
One of Daughtry’s accomplishments is helping create Maine’s paid family and medical leave law. The senator has also spoken out in support of efforts to reduce student debt, increase education funding and protect Mainers from perpetual chemicals.
“I am committed to serving honestly and transparently to achieve results on climate change, justice reform, reproductive rights, sovereignty issues, protecting our LGBTQIA Mainers, education and much more,” Daughtry wrote Thursday.
With the support of the Democratic caucus in the Senate, Daughtry is expected to be elected Senate president when a formal vote is held when the Legislature meets to be sworn in on Dec. 4.
Senate Democrats enter the 132nd Legislature with a 20-15 majority. During the last session, Democrats had a 9-vote margin in the Senate, with 22 seats to Republicans’ 13. One of the seats that turned red was previously held by outgoing Senate President Troy Jackson, District 1 in Aroostook County.
Also Thursday evening, Senate Democrats voted to elect Sen. Teresa Pierce of Falmouth as majority leader and Sen. Jill Duson of Portland as assistant majority leader.
Pierce is serving her first term in the Senate, during which she chaired the Housing Committee. From 2014 to 2020, Pierce served in the House of Representatives, including as chairman of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, which sets the state budget.
“Growing up with a coach for a father and a teacher for a mother, you learn that the most successful teams set a common goal and achieve those goals when all members can do their jobs and deliver results for the people who count on them. ,” Pierce wrote in a statement. “Over the next two years, Maine Senate Democrats will work together to improve the lives of all Mainers. This means that opportunities are created despite possible setbacks. This means a well-paying job, an education, a home and a community. We are excited and ready to get started.”
Duson was elected to the Senate in 2022 and became the first black woman to serve in the upper chamber. During her first term Duson was a member of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. Prior to her time in the Legislature, she spent more than 19 years on the Portland City Council.
“My commitment to public service is fueled by my enduring belief in what we can achieve when we work together to build the community and deliver the state the people of Maine deserve,” Duson wrote in a statement. “This starts with addressing today’s challenges, from access to affordable housing to childcare, so we can realize tomorrow’s potential.”
Duson also pledged to work with leaders on the other side of the aisle.
Senate Republicans are also expected to vote on their leadership positions this week.
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