Beth Edmonds
Encyclopedia
Betheda G. "Beth" Edmonds (born October 27, 1950 in Keene Valley, New York) is a former Democratic
member of the Maine Senate
, representing the 10th District from 2001 to 2009. She became the President of the Maine Senate after winning re-election in 2004. Her former district includes the towns of Brunswick
, Freeport, Harpswell
and Pownal
.
of New York
. She attended Clark University
from 1967 to 1972. After graduation, she married Dan Nickerson, and moved to Freeport, Maine. Since moving to Maine, Edmonds has been actively involved in the National Organization for Women
(NOW) and worked as an activist on the Equal Rights Amendment
. She has worked at the Freeport Community Library since 1982, and became director of the library in 2005.
and the Maine League of Conservation Voters. Gay rights groups, like EqualityMaine
, have similarly endorsed Edmonds. Likewise, labor and education groups like the Maine AFL-CIO
COPE (Committee on Political Education), the Maine State Employees Association, and the National Association of Social Workers
supported Edmonds' re-election. She was re-elected with 67% of the vote.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Maine Senate
Maine Senate
The Maine Senate is the upper house of the Maine Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maine. The Senate currently consists of 35 members representing an equal number of districts across the state, though the Maine Constitution allows for "an odd number of Senators, not less than...
, representing the 10th District from 2001 to 2009. She became the President of the Maine Senate after winning re-election in 2004. Her former district includes the towns of Brunswick
Brunswick, Maine
Brunswick is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 20,278 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metropolitan area. Brunswick is home to Bowdoin College, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, , and the...
, Freeport, Harpswell
Harpswell, Maine
Harpswell is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, which is geographically within Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. The population was 5,239 at the 2000 census. Harpswell is composed of land contiguous with the rest of Cumberland County, called Harpswell Neck, as well as several large and small...
and Pownal
Pownal, Maine
Pownal is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,491 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area. Pownal is home to Bradbury Mountain State Park....
.
Pre-Political career
Edmonds is from Keene Valley in the Adirondack MountainsAdirondack Mountains
The Adirondack Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeastern part of New York, that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties....
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. She attended Clark University
Clark University
Clark University is a private research university and liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts.Founded in 1887, it is the oldest educational institution founded as an all-graduate university. Clark now also educates undergraduates...
from 1967 to 1972. After graduation, she married Dan Nickerson, and moved to Freeport, Maine. Since moving to Maine, Edmonds has been actively involved in the National Organization for Women
National Organization for Women
The National Organization for Women is the largest feminist organization in the United States. It was founded in 1966 and has a membership of 500,000 contributing members. The organization consists of 550 chapters in all 50 U.S...
(NOW) and worked as an activist on the Equal Rights Amendment
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and, in 1923, it was introduced in the Congress for the first time...
. She has worked at the Freeport Community Library since 1982, and became director of the library in 2005.
Political career
She was a member of the State Senate from winning her seat in 2000 until she was term-limited out following the 2009 election. In 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006, Edmonds won elections to the State Senate. In December 2003, Edmonds became President of the Maine State Senate, making her first in the line of succession for the governorship. She is only the second female Senate President in Maine history and the first to serve a second term as president.Achievements as State Senator
While a member of the State Senate, Edmonds was instrumental in raising the state minimum wage, as well as resolving a longstanding conflict on the Workers' Compensation Board. She has supported eco-friendly measures such as the electronic waste recycling initiative. She also helped to establish the Baxter School for the Deaf Compensation Fund.Election 2006
Many different groups endorsed Edmonds for re-election in 2006, including conservation-minded organizations like the Sierra ClubSierra Club
The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
and the Maine League of Conservation Voters. Gay rights groups, like EqualityMaine
EqualityMaine
EqualityMaine is a political advocacy organization in Maine, United States. Founded in 1984 after the murder of Charlie Howard, it is the oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organization in the state. In 2008, they were a primary opponent of an attempt to revoke an...
, have similarly endorsed Edmonds. Likewise, labor and education groups like the Maine AFL-CIO
Maine AFL-CIO
The Maine AFL-CIO is a federation of AFL-CIO-affiliated labor unions in the state of Maine.The federation lobbies the state legislature and executive branch on issues important to its members, assists its state and local affiliate unions in organizing new members, conducts training and educational...
COPE (Committee on Political Education), the Maine State Employees Association, and the National Association of Social Workers
National Association of Social Workers
The National Association of Social Workers is a professional organization of social workers in the United States. It had over 150,000 members as of January 2008 and provides guidance, research, up to date information, advocacy, and other resources for its members and for social workers in general...
supported Edmonds' re-election. She was re-elected with 67% of the vote.
External links
- Beth Edmonds official website
- Maine Senate President official government website
- Maine Senate Democrats - Senate President Beth Edmonds profile
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Beth Edmonds (ME) profile
- Follow the Money - Beth Edmonds
- Clark University testimonial