AUGUSTA – Newly elected Republican state senators have unanimously chosen Senator Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) to serve as Senate President for the 128th Maine Legislature. Following Tuesday’s vote, Republicans will once again hold the majority in the Maine Senate by an 18-17 margin.
The entire Maine Senate will formally vote for senate president on Swearing-In Day, which is scheduled for December 7, 2016.
It will mark the first time a Republican has served as senate president for consecutive terms since 1980.
Republicans also chose Senator Garrett Mason (R-Androscoggin) to serve again as senate majority leader and Senator Andre Cushing (R-Penobscot) as assistant majority leader.
Senate President Thibodeau said, “I am extremely grateful to my fellow senators for once again expressing their confidence in me by choosing me to be not only their leader, but the leader of the entire Maine Senate. There are some who doubted our ability to maintain the majority in this election, but I believe the voters have validated our efforts to reform welfare and to make Maine a better place to work and live.
“We are interested in working with all willing and interested parties to take on the state’s biggest challenges, and I am looking forward to the next two years.”
Senator Garrett Mason said, “I am very proud to be the first Republican leader to serve back to back terms since 1970, and I would like to thank my fellow senators for trusting me to serve as their leader once again. I am looking forward to the next two years and can’t wait to get back to work.”
Senator Andre Cushing said, “It is a true honor to be part of this leadership team again. The Maine voters have put their trust in us to find solutions to our problems, and we need to deliver for them. I look forward to returning to the State House to work for the people of Maine.”