Mike Michaud
Encyclopedia
Michael Herman Michaud (born January 18, 1955) is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district comprises nearly 80% of the state by area and includes the cities of Lewiston
, Auburn
, Bangor
, and Presque Isle
. It is the largest Congressional district by area east of the Mississippi River
.
Michaud was previously President
of the Maine Senate
. He was employed for over two decades at the Great Northern Paper Company where he was a member of the United Steelworkers
.
, and is a graduate of Schenck High School in East Millinocket. He was a mill worker and supervisor at Great Northern Paper Company in East Millinocket, from 1973 until his election to Congress in 2002, during which time he was a member of the United Steelworkers
. Michaud's interest in politics began when he campaigned to clean up the Penobscot River
in the late 1970s.
in 1980, and served seven terms there. Then in 1994 he ran for and was elected to the Maine Senate
. In 1996 he was appointed chair of the Joint Appropriation Committee and in December 2000 was unanimously elected President
of the Maine Senate
.
in the race to replace John Baldacci
. This election garnered considerable publicity because the Democratic candidate was pro-life
, while the Republican was pro-choice
. Michaud then became the only freshman Democratic member of Congress to vote for the 2003 ban on intact dilation and extraction (IDX), often called partial-birth abortion
However,Michaud's stance on abortion, and related reproductive issues has changed since he entered office. When he was elected in 2003, he received a 10% rating by the NARAL Pro Choice America, a reflection of pro life votes. But, in 2010 the same organization gave Michaud a 100% rating. This change is likely in part because of the votes Michaud made in favor of allowing and expanding stem cell research, and his vote against banning abortion from federal health care coverage.
He won the 2004 election, defeating Republican Brian Hamel of Presque Isle
by a large margin. In the 2006 election he defeated Republican Laurence S. D'Amboise by a 70% margin. In the 2008 election, he defeated Republican and retired Professor John Frary of Farmington, by a considerable majority.
Mike Michaud has been an advocate for veterans for as long as he as served in congress. As Chairman of the Health Subcommittee
of the Veterans' Affairs Committee
, Michaud has advocated for more extensive healthcare benefits for veterans and also for more inclusive rural healthcare for veterans. In 2007 Michaud came close to being elected Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee
. He has also called for lowering of the cost of prescription drugs. In addition, Michaud has worked to pass legislation providing scholarships for returning soldiers, and decreasing the rate of homelessness among veterans. Recently, Michaud became an original cosponsor of “Hiring our Veterans Act” which gives tax credits to employers who hire veterans. Michaud has worked with the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) on many projects. These include a scholarship foundation for children of soldiers killed in active duty, an expansion of VA care in rural Maine, and a major increase in VA funding.
In addition to veterans' health, Michaud has been supporting healthcare on a larger scale. He has voted in favor of increased health coverage for children, and voted against cuts to Medicare. In 2010 he received a 100% rating from the American Public Health Association, along with favorable ratings from other health care groups. Michaud joined a group of 44 congressmen in November 2011 to express the importance of men being screened for prostate cancer. This bipartisan group was formed after the United States Preventative Task Force recommended that healthy men should not have such a screening.
Michaud is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives
. He is the only Congressperson from New England in the coalition. On October 19, 2007, he endorsed former Senator John Edwards
for President.
In 2010, Michaud overcame strong anti-Democrat and anti-incumbent political sentiment, and won reelection, defeating Republican Jason Levesque, by a 55-45 margin. It was Michaud's closest margin of victory since his original election.
}
| General
||
| |Mike Michaud
| |Democratic
| |116,868
| |52.01
||
| |Kevin Raye
| |Republican
| |107,849
| |47.99
||
|colspan=4|
|-
| 2004
|
|General
||
| |Mike Michaud
| |Democratic
| |199,303
| |58.03
||
| |Brian Hamel
| |Republican
| |135,547
| |39.47
||
|bgcolor=#FF99FF|Carl Cooley
|bgcolor=#FF99FF|Independent
|bgcolor=#FF99FF|8,586
|bgcolor=#FF99FF|2.50
|-
| 2006
|
|General
||
| |Mike Michaud
| |Democratic
| |176,218
| |70.49
||
| |Laurence D'Amboise
| |Republican
| |73,779
| |29.51
|-
| 2008
|
|General
||
| |Mike Michaud
| |Democratic
| |220,669
| |67.2
||
| |John Frary
| |Republican
| |107,736
| |33.8
|-
| 2010
|
|General
||
| |Mike Michaud
| |Democratic
| |146,575
| |55
||
| |Jason Levesque
| |Republican
| |119,379
| |45
|colspan=4|
|}
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district comprises nearly 80% of the state by area and includes the cities of Lewiston
Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston is a city in Androscoggin County in Maine, and the second-largest city in the state. The population was 41,592 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included within the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine...
, Auburn
Auburn, Maine
Auburn is a city in and the county seat of Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 23,055 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan...
, Bangor
Bangor, Maine
Bangor is a city in and the county seat of Penobscot County, Maine, United States, and the major commercial and cultural center for eastern and northern Maine...
, and Presque Isle
Presque Isle, Maine
Presque Isle is the commercial center and largest city in the sparsely populated Aroostook County, Maine, United States. The population was 9,692 at the 2010 census...
. It is the largest Congressional district by area east of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
.
Michaud was previously President
President of the Senate
The President of the Senate is a title often given to the presiding officer of a senate, and is the speaker of other assemblies.The senate president often ranks high in a jurisdiction's succession for its top executive office: for example, the President of the Senate of Nigeria is second in line...
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...
. He was employed for over two decades at the Great Northern Paper Company where he was a member of the United Steelworkers
United Steelworkers
The United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union is the largest industrial labor union in North America, with 705,000 members. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, U.S., the United Steelworkers represents workers in the United...
.
Early life, education and career
Michaud grew up in Medway, MaineMedway, Maine
Medway is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,489 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water...
, and is a graduate of Schenck High School in East Millinocket. He was a mill worker and supervisor at Great Northern Paper Company in East Millinocket, from 1973 until his election to Congress in 2002, during which time he was a member of the United Steelworkers
United Steelworkers
The United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union is the largest industrial labor union in North America, with 705,000 members. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, U.S., the United Steelworkers represents workers in the United...
. Michaud's interest in politics began when he campaigned to clean up the Penobscot River
Penobscot River
The Penobscot River is a river in the U.S. state of Maine. Including the river's West Branch and South Branch increases the Penobscot's length to , making it the second longest river system in Maine and the longest entirely in the state. Its drainage basin contains .It arises from four branches...
in the late 1970s.
Maine Legislature
Michaud was elected to the Maine House of RepresentativesMaine 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...
in 1980, and served seven terms there. Then in 1994 he ran for and was elected to 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...
. In 1996 he was appointed chair of the Joint Appropriation Committee and in December 2000 was unanimously elected President
President of the Senate
The President of the Senate is a title often given to the presiding officer of a senate, and is the speaker of other assemblies.The senate president often ranks high in a jurisdiction's succession for its top executive office: for example, the President of the Senate of Nigeria is second in line...
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...
.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Veterans' AffairsUnited States House Committee on Veterans' AffairsThe standing Committee on Veterans' Affairs in the United States House of Representatives oversees agencies, reviews current legislation, and recommends new bills or amendments concerning veterans. Jurisdiction includes retiring and disability pensions, life insurance, education , vocational...
- Subcommittee on HealthUnited States House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on HealthThe United States Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health is one of the four subcommittees within the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.The Subcommittee on Health has legislative and oversight jurisdiction for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ health care system, programs and research...
(Ranking member)
- Subcommittee on Health
- Committee on Small BusinessUnited States House Committee on Small BusinessThe United States House Committee on Small Business is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives.-History:On December 4, 1941, the U. S...
- Subcommittee on Finance and TaxUnited States House Small Business Subcommittee on Finance and TaxThe House Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access is one of five subcommittees of the House Small Business Committee.-Members, 112th Congress:-External links:**House Small Business Committee...
- Subcommittee on Rural and Urban EntrepreneurshipUnited States House Small Business Subcommittee on Rural and Urban EntrepreneurshipThe House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce is one of five subcommittees of the House Small Business Committee.-Members, 112th Congress:-External links:**House Small Business Committee...
- Subcommittee on Finance and Tax
- Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureUnited States House Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureThe U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. John Mica currently chairs the committee.-History:...
- Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management
- Subcommittee on Highways and TransitUnited States House Transportation Subcommittee on Highways and TransitThe House Transportation Subcommittee on Highways and Transit is a subcommittee within the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The subcommittee oversees highway, transit, and highway safety programs in the United States, as well as policy governing how highway and transit projects...
- Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous MaterialsUnited States House Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous MaterialsThe Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials is a subcommittee within the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee...
Caucus memberships
- Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus
- Congressional Biomass CaucusCongressional Biomass CaucusThe Congressional Biomass Caucus is a bipartisan caucus of the United States House of Representatives co-chaired by Representatives Charles Bass and Peter Welch . It was officially registered with the Committee on House Administration, the house committee responsible for regulating caucuses, on...
- Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine
- Congressional Nursing Caucus
- International Conservation CaucusUnited States Congressional International Conservation CaucusThe U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization that was founded in September 2003 with the conviction that “the United States of America has the opportunity, the obligation and the interests to advance the conservation of natural resources for...
- Renewable Energy Caucus
- Sudan Caucus
Political campaigns
Michaud was first elected in 2002, narrowly defeating Republican Kevin RayeKevin Raye
Kevin L. Raye is an American politician. Raye is a Republican member of the Maine Senate, representing the 29th district in northeastern Washington County...
in the race to replace 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....
. This election garnered considerable publicity because the Democratic candidate was pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
, while the Republican was pro-choice
Pro-choice
Support for the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-choice movement, a sociopolitical movement supporting the ethical view that a woman should have the legal right to elective abortion, meaning the right to terminate her pregnancy....
. Michaud then became the only freshman Democratic member of Congress to vote for the 2003 ban on intact dilation and extraction (IDX), often called partial-birth abortion
However,Michaud's stance on abortion, and related reproductive issues has changed since he entered office. When he was elected in 2003, he received a 10% rating by the NARAL Pro Choice America, a reflection of pro life votes. But, in 2010 the same organization gave Michaud a 100% rating. This change is likely in part because of the votes Michaud made in favor of allowing and expanding stem cell research, and his vote against banning abortion from federal health care coverage.
He won the 2004 election, defeating Republican Brian Hamel of Presque Isle
Presque Isle, Maine
Presque Isle is the commercial center and largest city in the sparsely populated Aroostook County, Maine, United States. The population was 9,692 at the 2010 census...
by a large margin. In the 2006 election he defeated Republican Laurence S. D'Amboise by a 70% margin. In the 2008 election, he defeated Republican and retired Professor John Frary of Farmington, by a considerable majority.
Mike Michaud has been an advocate for veterans for as long as he as served in congress. As Chairman of the Health Subcommittee
United States House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health
The United States Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health is one of the four subcommittees within the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.The Subcommittee on Health has legislative and oversight jurisdiction for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ health care system, programs and research...
of the Veterans' Affairs Committee
United States House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
The standing Committee on Veterans' Affairs in the United States House of Representatives oversees agencies, reviews current legislation, and recommends new bills or amendments concerning veterans. Jurisdiction includes retiring and disability pensions, life insurance, education , vocational...
, Michaud has advocated for more extensive healthcare benefits for veterans and also for more inclusive rural healthcare for veterans. In 2007 Michaud came close to being elected Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee
United States House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
The standing Committee on Veterans' Affairs in the United States House of Representatives oversees agencies, reviews current legislation, and recommends new bills or amendments concerning veterans. Jurisdiction includes retiring and disability pensions, life insurance, education , vocational...
. He has also called for lowering of the cost of prescription drugs. In addition, Michaud has worked to pass legislation providing scholarships for returning soldiers, and decreasing the rate of homelessness among veterans. Recently, Michaud became an original cosponsor of “Hiring our Veterans Act” which gives tax credits to employers who hire veterans. Michaud has worked with the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) on many projects. These include a scholarship foundation for children of soldiers killed in active duty, an expansion of VA care in rural Maine, and a major increase in VA funding.
In addition to veterans' health, Michaud has been supporting healthcare on a larger scale. He has voted in favor of increased health coverage for children, and voted against cuts to Medicare. In 2010 he received a 100% rating from the American Public Health Association, along with favorable ratings from other health care groups. Michaud joined a group of 44 congressmen in November 2011 to express the importance of men being screened for prostate cancer. This bipartisan group was formed after the United States Preventative Task Force recommended that healthy men should not have such a screening.
Michaud is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. He is the only Congressperson from New England in the coalition. On October 19, 2007, he endorsed former Senator John Edwards
John Edwards
Johnny Reid "John" Edwards is an American politician, who served as a U.S. Senator from North Carolina. He was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2004, and was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 and 2008.He defeated incumbent Republican Lauch Faircloth in...
for President.
In 2010, Michaud overcame strong anti-Democrat and anti-incumbent political sentiment, and won reelection, defeating Republican Jason Levesque, by a 55-45 margin. It was Michaud's closest margin of victory since his original election.
Electoral History
| Year | Office | Election | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % |
|---|
| 2002 United States House elections, 2002 The Elections for the United States House of Representatives on 5 November 2002 was in the middle of President George W. Bush's first term. Although it was a midterm election, the Republican Party gained a net eight seats, solidifying their majority... |
| General
||
| |Mike Michaud
| |Democratic
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...
| |116,868
| |52.01
||
| |Kevin Raye
Kevin Raye
Kevin L. Raye is an American politician. Raye is a Republican member of the Maine Senate, representing the 29th district in northeastern Washington County...
| |Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
| |107,849
| |47.99
||
|colspan=4|
|-
| 2004
United States House elections, 2004
Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 109th Congress were held on November 2, 2004. The House of Representatives has 435 seats. It coincided with the reelection of President George W. Bush. In the 108th Congress, Republicans held 227 seats, Democrats held 205, with two...
|
|General
||
| |Mike Michaud
| |Democratic
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...
| |199,303
| |58.03
||
| |Brian Hamel
| |Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
| |135,547
| |39.47
||
|bgcolor=#FF99FF|Carl Cooley
|bgcolor=#FF99FF|Independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
|bgcolor=#FF99FF|8,586
|bgcolor=#FF99FF|2.50
|-
| 2006
United States House elections, 2006
- House of Representatives prior to the election :As of November 7, 2006, the U.S. House of the 109th Congress was composed of 229 Republicans, 201 Democrats and 1 Independent . There were also four vacancies...
|
|General
||
| |Mike Michaud
| |Democratic
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...
| |176,218
| |70.49
||
| |Laurence D'Amboise
| |Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
| |73,779
| |29.51
|-
| 2008
United States House elections, 2008
Infobox Election| election_name = United States House of Representatives elections, 2008| country = United States| type = legislative| ongoing = no...
|
|General
||
| |Mike Michaud
| |Democratic
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...
| |220,669
| |67.2
||
| |John Frary
| |Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
| |107,736
| |33.8
|-
| 2010
|
|General
||
| |Mike Michaud
| |Democratic
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...
| |146,575
| |55
||
| |Jason Levesque
| |Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
| |119,379
| |45
|colspan=4|
|}
External links
- U.S. Congressman Mike Michaud official U.S. House site
- Mike Michaud for U.S. Congress official campaign site
- Profile at SourceWatchSourceWatchSourceWatch is an internet wiki site that is a collaborative project of the liberal Center for Media and Democracy...