Mike Michaud

Mike Michaud, born on January eighteenth, nineteen fifty-five, is a prominent American politician and former factory worker hailing from Maine. He served as the U.S. representative for Maine's 2nd congressional district from two thousand three to two thousand fifteen, representing a predominantly rural area that encompasses nearly eighty percent of the state. This district, the largest by area east of the Mississippi River, includes key cities such as Lewiston, Auburn, Bangor, Presque Isle, and Ellsworth.

Before his tenure in Congress, Michaud held the position of President of the Maine Senate and worked for over two decades at the Great Northern Paper Company. He is a proud member of the United Steelworkers and is notable for being one of the few members of Congress who did not attend college. However, he did enhance his education by participating in the John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University. His contributions to public service have been recognized with honorary Doctor of Public Service degrees from Unity College, Husson College, and Maine Maritime Academy.

In a historic milestone, Michaud became the first openly Franco-American elected to a U.S. federal office from Maine. He was elected as a co-chair of the congressional French Caucus in January two thousand eleven and publicly came out as gay in two thousand thirteen, making him one of the few openly LGBT members of Congress and the first to represent Maine.

Michaud was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Maine in the two thousand fourteen election. Despite being considered a strong contender due to the unpopularity of the incumbent, Paul LePage, he ultimately lost by a larger margin than anticipated. Currently, he serves on the East Millinocket Board of Selectmen, continuing his commitment to public service.