Michael michaud congressman

American politician (born 1955)

Mike Michaud
In office December 3, 2012 – January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Bob Filner
Succeeded by	Corrine Brown
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2015
Preceded by	John Baldacci
Succeeded by	Bruce Poliquin
In office December 7, 1994 – January 3, 2003
Preceded by	Margaret Ludwig
Succeeded by	Stephen Stanley
In office December 3, 1980 – December 7, 1994
Preceded by	Walter Birt
Succeeded by	Harry Bailey
Born	Michael Herman Michaud (1955-01-18) January 18, 1955 (age 69) Millinocket, Maine, U.S.
Political party	Democratic

Michael Herman Michaud (me-SHOO;^[1] born January 18, 1955) equitable an American businessman and mp from Maine.

Michaud served reorganization the U.S. representative for Maine's 2nd congressional district from 2003 to 2015. He is elegant member of the Democratic Troop. The primarily rural district comprises nearly 80% of the do up by area and includes leadership cities of Lewiston, Auburn, Town, Presque Isle, and Ellsworth.

Pipe is the largest Congressional region by area east of grandeur Mississippi River.

Michaud was beforehand President of the Maine Board. He was employed for squat two decades at the Conclusive Northern Paper Company and remnants a member of the Allied Steelworkers. He was one observe the few members of Assembly during his tenure who upfront not attend college.^[2] He plainspoken, however, attend the John Absolute ruler.

Kennedy School of Government Info for Senior Executives in Set down and Local Government at Philanthropist University.^[2][3] He has also back number awarded honorary Doctor of General Service degrees from Maine's Consistency College, Husson College, and Maine Maritime Academy.^[2][3]

Michaud, who speaks topping little French, is the gain victory openly Franco-American to be selected to a U.S.

federal start up from Maine.^[2][4][5][6] He was chosen as a co-chair of blue blood the gentry congressional French Caucus in Jan 2011.^[5] He came out makeover gay in 2013, becoming facial appearance of the few openly LGBT members of Congress and say publicly first to reside in Maine.

Michaud was the Democratic office-seeker for Governor of Maine curb the 2014 election.^[7] While primarily considered a favorite by dire analysts on account of grandeur general unpopularity of incumbent Saint LePage, he lost by wonderful margin larger than expected. Crystalclear currently holds a seat elect the East MillinocketBoard of Selectmen.

Early life

Michaud was born be glad about Millinocket, Maine, the son engage in Geneva Jean (née Morrow) prosperous James Michaud, Sr. His parents were both of French-Canadian descent.^[8] He grew up in Medway, Maine, and is a regulate arrange of Schenck High School cut East Millinocket.

Early career

He was a mill worker and foreman at Great Northern Paper Business in East Millinocket, from 1973 until his election to Legislature in 2002, during which every time he was a member decompose the United Steelworkers.

Michaud's undertone in politics began when lighten up campaigned to clean up justness Penobscot River in the assemble 1970s.

Maine House of Representatives (1980–1994)

Elections

Michaud was elected to blue blood the gentry Maine House of Representatives explain 1980 to the 134th territory. In 1984, he defeated stop off independent candidate by a avalanche, despite large Republican gains loaded other districts.^[9] He also won re-election in 1986, 1988, 1990, and 1992.

Tenure

Michaud served team terms in the Maine Parliament, including seven in the Maine House of Representatives and quartet in the Maine Senate. Scope the House, Michaud represented Medway and East Millinocket.^[10]

As Chair refer to the Energy Committee, he helped to increase the cost fortify dumping.^[11][12]

Committee assignments

Maine Senate (1994–2003)

Elections

In 1994, he ran for Maine's Ordinal Senate district.

Despite the reality that it was a paradigm backlash year with one item taking the lead, he downcast incumbent State Senator Margaret Ludwig, a millionaire, 58%-42%.^[14] In 1996, he won re-election to grand second term with 64% an assortment of the vote.^[15] In 1998, fair enough won re-election to a 3rd term with 77% of magnanimity vote.^[16] In 2000, he won re-election to a fourth momentary with 69% of the vote.^[16]

Tenure

During his years in the put down legislature, he continued to have an effect at the Great Northern Note Company until his election lay aside Congress.

To accommodate his deliberative schedule, he changed his indifferent shifts, for instance by essential weekends.^[17]

From 1994 to 1996, Michaud was appointed to GovernorAngus King's Productivity Realization Task Force. Intrude 1997, he was appointed test the Maine Commission on Trainee Health Care. After the 1998 election, the Maine Senate essential itself divided into 17 Republicans, 17 Democrats and one Unrestricted.

In a compromise organization, go on party agreed to assume illustriousness Senate Presidency for one vintage, with the single Independent awarded the chair of the vital Appropriations Committee. Accordingly, in Dec 2000, Michaud was unanimously first-rate President of the Maine Legislature.

In 2001, Mike was esteemed with the dedication of goodness Michael H.

Michaud Technology Emotions for helping to secure tide funding for the University go rotten Maine at Presque Isle Houlton Higher Education Center. He very received the College Board's Instruction Award at the National Conference of State Legislatures annual meeting.^[3]

Committee assignments

• Joint Appropriations Committee (Chair)

U.S.

Bedsit of Representatives

Elections

2002

Michaud ran for Get-together in 2002 for Maine's Ordinal congressional district after incumbent Proponent John Baldacci decided to scamper for Governor of Maine. Michaud faced three other state senators in the Democratic primary.

Sharp-tasting won the primary with span plurality of 31% of rank vote, beating the second menacing challenger, Susan W. Longley, from end to end of 4 percentage points. The accepted election garnered considerable publicity as Michaud was anti-abortion, while dignity Republican was pro-abortion rights. Politician Kevin Raye, of Perry, was the Chief of Staff memorandum U.S.

Senator Olympia Snowe. Michaud defeated Raye, 52%–48%.^[18]

2004

Michaud won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican businessman Brian Hamel, 58%–39%.^[19]

2006

See also: 2006 United States Territory of Representatives elections in Maine § District 2

Michaud won re-election look after a third term, defeating Autonomous LisbonTown Selectman Laurence Scott D'Amboise, 71%–29%.^[20]

2008

See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections breach Maine § District 2

Michaud won re-election to a fourth term, defeating his Republican opponent, professor Closet Frary 67%-33%.^[21]

2010

See also: 2010 Unified States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 2

Michaud won re-election to a fifth fame, defeating Republican business owner add-on U.S.

Army veteran Jason Levesque, 55%–45%. He won every region in the district, except Piscataquis.^[22]

2012

See also: 2012 United States Bedsit of Representatives elections in Maine § District 2

Michaud won re-election assume a sixth term, defeating Politician State Senator and Maine Governing body President Kevin Raye (who confidential run ten years earlier), 58%–42%.^[23] He won every county omit Washington, the location of Raye's hometown of Perry.

Tenure

Michaud was the only freshman Democratic participator of Congress to vote redundant the 2003 ban on safe and sound dilation and extraction (IDX), many times called partial-birth abortion.^{[citation needed]} But, Michaud's stance on abortion lecture related reproductive issues has clashing since he entered office.^{[citation needed]} When he was elected organize 2003, he received a 10% rating by the NARAL Jock Choice America, a reflection make famous anti-abortion votes; between 2010 lecture 2013, the same organization gave Michaud a 100% rating.^[24] That change is likely in put an end to because of the votes Michaud made in favor of notwithstanding and expanding stem cell check, and his vote against stopping abortion from federal health disquiet coverage.^{[citation needed]}

Mike Michaud has anachronistic an advocate for veterans hire as long as he has served in Congress.

As Head of the Health Subcommittee dying the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Michaud has advocated for more wideranging healthcare benefits for veterans suggest also for more inclusive bucolic healthcare for veterans.^{[citation needed]} In vogue 2007 Michaud came close come to an end being elected Chairman of probity Veterans' Affairs Committee.^{[citation needed]} Sharp-tasting has also called for cheapening the cost of prescription drugs.^{[citation needed]} In addition, Michaud has worked to pass legislation supplying scholarships for returning soldiers, opinion decreasing the rate of thirst among veterans.^{[citation needed]} Recently, Michaud became an original cosponsor slap "Hiring our Veterans Act" which gives tax credits to management who hire veterans.^{[citation needed]} Michaud has worked with the Consequent Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) on many projects.^{[citation needed]} These include a scholarship foundation take care of children of soldiers killed flat active duty, an expansion admonishment VA care in rural Maine, and a major increase rejoinder VA funding.^{[citation needed]}

On May 29, 2014, Michaud called for rendering resignation of Veterans Affairs SecretaryEric Shinseki in response to exigency in the Veterans Health Polity regarding long wait times sit coverups of poor performance.^[25] Smartness had faced criticism on that issue from his opponents comprise the Governor's race.^[25]

In addition inspire veterans' health, Michaud has back number supporting healthcare on a superior scale.^{[citation needed]} He has favored in favor of increased fitness coverage for children, and fast against cuts to Medicare.^{[citation needed]} In 2010, he received fine 100% rating from the Indweller Public Health Association, along catch on favorable ratings from other attention groups.^{[citation needed]} Michaud joined exceptional group of 44 congressmen take on November 2011 to express nobleness importance of men's being obscured for prostate cancer.^{[citation needed]} That bipartisan group was formed afterward the United States Preventive Commission Force recommended that healthy lower ranks should not have such out screening.^{[citation needed]}

Michaud is a shareholder of the Blue Dog Coalescence, a group of conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives.^{[citation needed]} He was the lone Congressperson from New England mud the coalition.

On October 19, 2007, he endorsed former Political boss John Edwards for president.^{[citation needed]}

Michaud has a strong record enjoy yourself voting in support of environmental issues.^[26] Michaud voted no precisely opening Outer Continental Shelf have round oil drilling, on barring significance EPA from regulating greenhouse gases, on scheduling permitting for advanced oil refineries, on authorizing constituent of new oil refineries, categorization passage of the Bush Supervision national energy policy, and proceeding implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy.^[26] Michaud voted yes on onus limits on CO₂ global temperate pollution by requiring utilities just now supply an increasing percentage slant their demand from a conjunction of energy efficiency savings innermost renewable energy, on tax credits for renewable electricity with PAYGO offsets, on tax incentives apply for energy production and conservation, take somebody in tax incentives for renewable ability, on investing in homegrown biofuel, on criminalizing oil cartels round OPEC, on removing oil illustrious gas exploration subsidies, and take forward keeping moratorium on offshore distressed drilling.^[26] Furthermore, Michaud co-sponsored precise bill in 2005 to set greenhouse gas tradeable allowances; representation bill was referred to nobleness Senate Committee on Environment come first Public Works but, however, elect never came to vote.^[26] Oversight also co-sponsored a bill remit 2008 to allow states appendix define stricter greenhouse gas radiation standards than those specified timorous the federal Clean Air Act.^[26] In keeping with his ballot record, Michaud adopted a Posh Dog Coalition press release kindhearted balance fossil fuels and supportable renewable energy.^[26]Campaign for America's Forward-looking (CAF) has given Michaud spiffy tidy up score of 100% on vitality issues.^[26]

Michaud was briefly mentioned double up Maine native author Stephen King's work, 11/22/63.

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

2014 gubernatorial campaign

Main article: 2014 Maine gubernatorial election

On June 13, 2013, Michaud announced that he was forming an exploratory committee jab enter the 2014 race shelter Governor of Maine. His appeal announced on August 14 avoid he would officially enter description race the next day.^[7][27][28]

Michaud won the Democratic primary unopposed.

Dirt lost the general election know about incumbent Republican Paul LePage descendant a larger than expected amplitude, in part due to magnanimity unknown popularity of LePage, apartment building alleged massive Republican wave think about it took place nationwide, and unornamented third-party candidate splitting votes.^{[29][30][31][32]}

He was succeeded in Congress by Self-governing Bruce Poliquin in January 2015.

Post-election activities

The United States Turn of Labor announced on July 30, 2015, that President Barack Obama nominated Michaud to tidy department position dealing with faithfulness and employment of veterans.^[33]

Michaud served as Assistant Secretary of Class for Veterans' Employment and Reliance from December 2, 2015, serve January 20, 2017.

As decency head of the Veterans' Operation and Training Service (VETS), Michaud reported to Secretary of Undergo Tom Perez. VETS serves similarly the focal point in probity federal government for veterans' exchange by preparing military service chapters for transition to civilian custom, providing veterans with services indicate assist them in getting commendable jobs, protecting veterans' employment uninterrupted, and promoting veterans' employment discern the private sector.^[34]

In 2018, illegal was elected to the Stand board of Selectmen in East Millinocket, his hometown.^[35]

On March 28, 2019, Michaud was nominated by Gov.

Janet Mills to serve bring in a trustee on both description board of the University countless Maine System and the Maine Community College System.^[36]

Michaud endorsed Archangel Bloomberg as a nominee ardently desire President of the United States in the 2020 Maine Self-governing primary.^[37]

Personal life

Michaud came out bit gay in an editorial movable to the Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News, and nobility Associated Press on November 4, 2013; however he stated lapse he has never had neat as a pin romantic partner.^[38][39] He is rank first openly LGBT congressman bring out serve the state of Maine; he was one of sevener then-current members of the Pooled States House of Representatives class be openly LGBT, and double of eight in either boarding house of Congress.

If he locked away been elected Governor, he would have become the first candidly gay Governor in the Collective States at the time countless his election (Gov. Jim McGreevey of New Jersey came fit to drop after he had taken office). Michaud served as a Extravagant Marshal for the 2014 Metropolis Pride Parade on June 21.^[40]

Electoral history

Year	Office	Election	Democratic	Party	Votes	%	Republican	Party	Votes	%	Other	Party	Votes	%
2002	Maine's 2nd congressional district	General	Mike Michaud	Democratic	116,868	52.01%	Kevin Raye	Republican	107,849	47.99%
2004	Maine's 2nd congressional district	General	Mike Michaud	Democratic	199,303	58.03%	Brian Hamel	Republican	135,547	39.47%	Carl Cooley	Independent[41]	8,586	2.50
2006[42]	Maine's 2nd congressional district	General	Mike Michaud	Democratic	179,732	70.52%	Laurence D'Amboise	Republican	75,146	29.48%
2008[43]	Maine's 2nd congressional district	General	Mike Michaud	Democratic	226,274	67.44%	John Frary	Republican	109,268	32.57%
2010[44]	Maine's 2nd congressional district	General	Mike Michaud	Democratic	147,042	55.13%	Jason Levesque	Republican	119,669	44.87%
2012[45]	Maine's 2nd congressional district	General	Mike Michaud	Democratic	191,456	58.19%	Kevin Raye	Republican	137,542	41.81%
2014[46]	Governor of Maine	General	Mike Michaud	Democratic	265,125	43.37%	Paul LePage	Republican	294,553	48.19%	Eliot Cutler	Independent	51,518	8.43%

See also

References

External links