Edward Suslovic
Encyclopedia
Edward J. Suslovic is a Maine
politician. Suslovic, a Democrat
, represented part of Portland
in the Maine House of Representatives
from 2002 to 2004. Suslovic ran and defeated incumbent John F. McDonough for the Democratic nomination for District 32. McDonough registered as a Republican
after his defeat and was nominated by the Republicans as a replacement, only to be defeated by Suslovic in the 2002 general election. Suslovic served on the State and Local Government, Taxation, Joint Select Committee on Regionalization and Community Cooperation committees during his two years in the House of Representatives. In the 2004 general election Suslovic was defeated for re-election by Green Independent
and fellow incumbent John Eder
following a controversial redistricting process which involved a lawsuit by the Green Independent Party claiming the Democrats sought to gerrymander
Eder out of office. The lawsuit was unsuccessful and Eder moved across Portland's West End
to stay in district.
In 2005, Suslovic was elected to the Portland's City Council
and served as the ceremonial mayor from 2007 to 2008. During his term on the council, a significant discussion arose regarding plans to redevelop the Maine State Pier
on Commercial Street
on Portland's Waterfront. The majority of Suslovic's fellow Democrats supported a plan put forth by Ocean Properties, which was strongly allied with Maine's Governor
John Baldacci
. However, Suslovic sided with the three Green Independents and one Republican on the council to back the Olympia Companies plan. In a four way race in 2008, community organizer and former Ocean Properties employee Dory Waxman defeated Suslovic's bid to return to the City Council.
In 2009, Suslovic unsuccessfully sought a position on Portland's Charter Commission.
In 2010, Suslovic and Will Mitchell sought the District 3 seat on Portland's City Council
. Suslovic defeated Mitchell, who is the son of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Libby Mitchell, and returned to the City Council for another three year term.
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
politician. Suslovic, a Democrat
Maine Democratic Party
The Maine Democratic Party is the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of Maine.-Current Democratic officeholders:The Maine Democratic Party is the minority party in both the Maine Senate and Maine House of Representatives. The party, however, holds both of the state's U.S...
, represented part of Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
in the Maine House of Representatives
Maine House of Representatives
The Maine House of Representatives is the lower house of the Maine Legislature. The House consists of 151 members representing an equal amount of districts across the state. Each voting member of the House represents around 8,450 citizens of the state...
from 2002 to 2004. Suslovic ran and defeated incumbent John F. McDonough for the Democratic nomination for District 32. McDonough registered as a Republican
Maine Republican Party
The Maine Republican Party is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Maine. It was founded in Strong, Maine on August 7, 1854. The state Chairman is Charles M. Webster....
after his defeat and was nominated by the Republicans as a replacement, only to be defeated by Suslovic in the 2002 general election. Suslovic served on the State and Local Government, Taxation, Joint Select Committee on Regionalization and Community Cooperation committees during his two years in the House of Representatives. In the 2004 general election Suslovic was defeated for re-election by Green Independent
Maine Green Independent Party
The Maine Green Independent Party is the oldest state Green party in the United States. It was founded following an informal meeting of 18 environmental advocates, including Bowdoin College professor John Rensenbrink and others in Augusta, Maine...
and fellow incumbent John Eder
John Eder
John Eder is an American activist and politician from the state of Maine. Eder lives in Portland and is a member of the Maine Green Independent Party, the Maine affiliate of the national Green Party. He served in the Maine House of Representatives as the legislature's first member of the Green...
following a controversial redistricting process which involved a lawsuit by the Green Independent Party claiming the Democrats sought to gerrymander
Gerrymandering
In the process of setting electoral districts, gerrymandering is a practice that attempts to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating geographic boundaries to create partisan, incumbent-protected districts...
Eder out of office. The lawsuit was unsuccessful and Eder moved across Portland's West End
West End (Portland, Maine)
The West End is a downtown neighborhood in Portland, Maine. It is located on the western side of Portland's peninsula primarily on Bramhall Hill and is noted for its architecture and history. The neighborhood is home to a large number of historic homes and parks and, in 2010, it was called "one of...
to stay in district.
In 2005, Suslovic was elected to the Portland's City Council
Portland, Maine City Council
The Portland, Maine City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of Portland, Maine. It is 9 seat council, composed of representatives from the city's five districts as well as 4 councilors elected citywide. Beginning with the Portland, Maine mayoral election, 2011, one of the...
and served as the ceremonial mayor from 2007 to 2008. During his term on the council, a significant discussion arose regarding plans to redevelop the Maine State Pier
Maine State Pier
The Maine State Pier is a municipal-owned deep water marine facility and music venue located at the intersection of Commercial Street and Franklin Street on the eastern waterfront in Portland, Maine.It was completed in 1924...
on Commercial Street
Commercial Street (Portland, Maine)
Commercial Street is a street downtown Portland, Maine. In 2008, it was named one of the 10 best streets in the United States by the American Planning Association. It was built upon old piers in the 1850s. Fill was pushed into Casco Bay to accommodate the growing railroad and warehousing needs of...
on Portland's Waterfront. The majority of Suslovic's fellow Democrats supported a plan put forth by Ocean Properties, which was strongly allied with Maine's Governor
Governor of Maine
The governor of Maine is the chief executive of the State of Maine. Before Maine was admitted to the Union in 1820, Maine was part of Massachusetts and the governor of Massachusetts was chief executive....
John Baldacci
John Baldacci
John Elias Baldacci is an American politician who served as the 73rd Governor of the U.S. state of Maine from 2003 until 2011. A Democrat, he also served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003....
. However, Suslovic sided with the three Green Independents and one Republican on the council to back the Olympia Companies plan. In a four way race in 2008, community organizer and former Ocean Properties employee Dory Waxman defeated Suslovic's bid to return to the City Council.
In 2009, Suslovic unsuccessfully sought a position on Portland's Charter Commission.
In 2010, Suslovic and Will Mitchell sought the District 3 seat on Portland's City Council
Portland, Maine City Council
The Portland, Maine City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of Portland, Maine. It is 9 seat council, composed of representatives from the city's five districts as well as 4 councilors elected citywide. Beginning with the Portland, Maine mayoral election, 2011, one of the...
. Suslovic defeated Mitchell, who is the son of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Libby Mitchell, and returned to the City Council for another three year term.