Maine Senate Democrats select Daughtry as president to lead majority next session
Sen. Mattie Daughtry and Rep. Kristen Cloutier at a 2023 rally in support of their bill to create a paid family and medical leave system. (via Sen. Mattie Daughtry/ Facebook)
Maine Senate Democrats chose Sen. Mattie Daughtry of Brunswick to serve as chamber president, leading the majority that Democrats maintained on Nov. 5 , though likely by slimmer margins as final counts are tallied.
"Our constituents are depending on us to hold the line against cruel and unjust federal policies," Daughtry shared in a statement Thursday night following the vote. "I will take our messaging extremely 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 25 years old. After serving in the lower chamber until 2020, Daughtry was elected to the Senate and became assistant majority leader two years later.
On Tuesday, Daughtry won reelection with 69% of the vote, with more than 95% of votes counted, according to The Associated Press.
Among Daughtry's achievements are helping to craft Maine's paid family and medical leave law . The senator has also championed efforts to reduce student debt, grow education funding and protect Mainers from forever chemicals.
"I'm committed to serving with fairness and transparency to deliver on climate change, justice reform, reproductive rights, sovereignty issues, protecting our LGBTQIA Mainers, education and so much more," Daughtry wrote on Thursday.
With the support of the Senate Democratic caucus, 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.
Senate Democrats are heading into the 132nd Legislature with a 20-15 majority. Last session, Democrats had a 9-vote margin in the Senate, with 22 seats to Republicans' 13. One of the seats that flipped red was formerly 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 wrapping her first term in the Senate, during which she chaired the Housing Committee. From 2014 to 2020, Pierce served in the House, including as chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, which sets the state budget.
"When you grow up with a coach as a father and a teacher as a mom, you learn that the most successful teams set a common goal and reach those goals when all members can do their jobs and deliver for the people who are counting on them," Pierce wrote in a statement. "Over our next two years, Maine Senate Democrats will work together to improve all Mainers' lives. This means creating opportunity in the face of potential hardship. This means a good-paying job, an education, a home and a community. We are excited and ready to get to work."
Duson was elected to the senate in 2022, becoming the first Black woman to serve in the upper chamber. During her first term, Duson served on 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 faith in what we can achieve when we work together to build the community and state Maine people deserve," Duson wrote in a statement. "This starts with addressing the challenges of today from access to affordable housing to child care so we can realize the potential of tomorrow."
Duson also vowed to work collaboratively with leadership across the aisle.
Senate Republicans are also expected to vote on their leadership positions this week.
