Emma Davis

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Democrats once again choose Fecteau to serve as speaker of the Maine House

by Emma Davis, Maine Morning Star
November 13, 2024

Maine House Democrats selected former Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford on Wednesday to once again lead the lower chamber, completing the slate of elected officials that will be heading the Maine Legislature next session.

First elected to the House in 2014, Fecteau became the first openly gay speaker and one of the youngest to hold the leadership position at age 28 when he assumed the role in 2020.

“This session, our priorities will focus on building a Maine that is affordable, equitable, and resilient,” Fecteau shared in a statement following the vote. “We know that Mainers are looking to us for leadership that unites and strengthens our state, and we will work tirelessly to uphold that trust.”

While Democrats were similarly in the majority when Fecteau previously served as speaker, the partisan landscape will be different this time.

With a handful of close races still expected to be recounted, Democrats are poised to remain in the majority in both chambers. However, those majorities will be much slimmer, as Republicans flipped several seats on Nov. 5.

Also on Wednesday, House Democrats chose Rep. Matt Moonen of Portland as majority leader and Rep. Lori Gramlich of Old Orchard Beach as assistant majority leader, who both emphasized the strength and diversity of their caucus in statements following their election.

“I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish over the last two years,” Moonen wrote, “but there is still so much more that we need to do to deliver for Maine families. Our caucus also stands ready to defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Mainers from any cruel policies that are implemented by the federal government over the next few years. We're ready to get to work and move Maine forward.”

Moonen, a leader in progressive politics in the state, is entering his sixth non-consecutive term in the House and previously served as the House Majority Leader during the 129th Legislature. Last session, he co-chaired the Legislature's Judiciary Committee.

“In this new role,” Gramlich wrote, “I'm looking forward to working hard with all of my colleagues to continue making critical progress on the issues that matter to our constituents, including protecting our environment, reducing gun violence, supporting our children and building a brighter future for all Mainers.”

Gramlich, a longtime social worker, is entering her fourth term in the House and last session co-chaired the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

“This leadership team is strong, dedicated and poised to make great progress for Maine,” Fecteau continued. “We are eager to get to work on an agenda that recognizes the needs of all Mainers and addresses the issues that matter most to our communities. From tackling the high cost of living and ensuring access to quality healthcare, to advancing educational opportunities and increasing the housing supply, we are committed to making real, positive change.”

Fecteau is replacing outgoing House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross of Portland, who will be serving in the Senate after winning an unopposed race. “Serving as Speaker of the Maine House has been both an incredible honor and a profound responsibility, and I am confident that Ryan knows full well how equally challenging and rewarding this role is,” Talbot Ross wrote in a statement Wednesday. “I wish him every success as he steps into this new chapter of leadership.”

Maine Senate Democrats select Daughtry as president to lead majority next session

These selections on Wednesday were the final caucus votes to establish the expected leaders of the 132nd Maine Legislature. Formal votes are held when the Legislature convenes to get sworn in on Dec. 4.

Fecteau's counterpart in the Senate is also bringing a young perspective to the upper chamber's leadership role.

On Thursday, Senate Democrats selected Sen. Mattie Daughtry of Brunswick to serve as chamber president. 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.

Sen. Teresa Pierce of Falmouth will serve as majority leader in the Senate. Pierce previously served in the House, including as chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, which sets the state budget. The Senate assistant majority leader will be Sen. Jill Duson of Portland, who is finishing her first term in the upper chamber, during which she also served on the budget committee.

Legislative Republicans opt to maintain same leadership heading into next session

Meanwhile, legislative Republicans opted to maintain the lawmakers in their caucuses' leadership roles heading into the next session.

Republican Sen. Trey Stewart of Aroostook, who is among the Legislature's youngest members, will continue to serve as minority leader of the upper chamber, a role he first assumed in 2022. Stewart was reelected to the Senate this month for his third term, after previously serving two terms in the House.

Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham of Winter Harbor will also maintain his role as minority leader of the lower chamber, which he similarly assumed in 2022. Faulkingham is entering his fourth term in the lower chamber.

However, the assistant minority leaders in both chambers will be new to leadership. In the Senate, Republicans elected Sen. Matthew Harrington of York, who served four terms in the House before being elected to the Senate in 2020. In the House, Republicans elected Rep. Katrina Smith of Palermo, who is completing her first term.

Maine Morning Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maine Morning Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lauren McCauley for questions: [email protected]. Follow Maine Morning Star on Facebook and X.

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