House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (center) speaks alongside other Republican leaders, including Sen. Trey Stewart (left), at a press conference announcing a formal impeachment inquiry into Secretary of State Shenna Bellows in Augusta on Jan. 3, 2024. (Photo by Emma Davis/Maine Morning Star)
Republican Maine Sen. Trey Stewart of Aroostook will continue to serve as minority leader of the upper chamber and state Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham of Winter Harbor as minority leader of the lower chamber after their respective caucuses held votes on Friday.
While Republicans remain in the minority in both the Maine Senate and House of Representatives, Republicans flipped a handful of seats on Nov. 5, which affords both Stewart’s and Faulkingham’s caucuses more power in the upcoming session.
Both Stewart and Faulkingham, who first assumed their respective leadership roles in 2022, spoke to the slim margins in statements shared Friday following the votes.
“It is clear that Maine voters and our nation are not happy with the status quo and wanted change,” Stewart wrote. “It is the first time we have grown our membership since we lost the majority in 2018.”
Maine has had a Democratic trifecta in state government since Democratic Gov. Janet Mills assumed office.
“The desire for positive change was evident in this year’s election,” Faulkingham wrote.
Speaking to their ambitions for the next session, both minority leaders wrote that their caucuses would focus on lowering energy costs and addressing the budget deficit.
“The needs of everyday Mainers are being ignored,” Faulkingham added. “If Democrats don’t give us a seat at the table, we will continue to speak loudly for the people of Maine.”
Republicans in both chambers also chose their assistant leaders on Friday. In the Senate, Republicans elected Sen. Matthew Harrington of York, and in the House, Republicans elected Rep. Katrina Smith of Palermo.
Maine Senate
Stewart was reelected to the Senate on Tuesday for his third term, after previously serving two terms in the Maine House of Representatives. A fifth-generation Aroostook County native, Stewart won reelection with 67% of the vote, with 90% of votes counted, according to The Associated Press.
Outside the Legislature, Stewart is an intelligence officer for the U.S. Navy Reserve and has a law degree, which he earned in 2022 while serving in the Senate.
On Thursday, Senate Democrats selected state Sen. Mattie Daughtry of Brunswick to serve as chamber president. With the support of the majority, Daughtry is expected to be elected as Senate President when a formal vote is held when the Legislature convenes to get sworn in on Dec. 4.
Daughtry and Stewart are two of the youngest members of the Maine Legislature.
Senate Democrats now have a 20-15 majority, compared to last session when Democrats held 22 seats to Republicans’ 13.
The incoming assistant Senate minority leader, Harrington, will replace state Sen. Lisa Keim of Oxford, who was termed out.
“Voters sent a message across the country and our state that they want change and they support the policies Senate Republicans have advocated for over the past two years,” Harrington wrote, echoing Faulkingham. “Mainers need relief from the crushing impacts of inflation and Senate Republicans stand ready to deliver.”
Harrington won reelection on Tuesday with 60% of the vote, with more than 95% of votes counted, according to The AP. Before being elected to the Senate in 2022, Harrington served four terms in the House. Outside the Legislature, he is a real estate agent and former law enforcement officer.
Maine House of Representatives
Faulkingham is entering his fourth term in the lower chamber. He won reelection with 62% of the vote, with more than 95% of votes counted, according to The AP.
Outside the Legislature, Faulkingham is a commercial lobster fisherman in his hometown of Winter Harbor and previously served in the U.S. Marines.
Smith, the incoming assistant minority leader, is completing her first term in the House, having been elected in 2022. On Tuesday, Smith won reelection with 64% of the vote, with more than 95% of votes counted, according to The AP. Outside the Legislature, she’s worked as a realtor and investor.
“House Republicans are ready to get down to work to help those who are financially struggling and are losing hope,” Smith wrote. “We are ready to stand strong and united to be the voice of positive change in our state.”
Current House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland) termed out and will be serving in the Senate after winning an unopposed race on Tuesday. House Democrats are expected to vote for Speaker, majority leader and assistant majority leader next week.
According to unofficial results from The AP, Democrats maintained their majority in the Maine House but with razor-thin margins, 76 seats to Republicans’ 72, with two independent representatives. Recounts are pending.
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