In my own words: Why I'm not running
After pouring my heart and soul into serving 8 years in the Legislature, with two terms in the House and most recently two terms in the Senate, I have ultimately decided not to run for and return for a 5th term.
Looking back, I’ve spent every single year of my twenties running for and serving in the Legislature starting at age 20, being sworn into office just a week before graduating from college, and becoming the youngest openly gay lawmaker in the country. Combining that with a term on the State Board of Education as its first student member back in high school, I’ve spent nearly a decade in public office.
We were able to accomplish much together, culminating this past session in monumental progress. After many years of persistence, I was finally able to pass my top legislative priority; comprehensive campaign finance reform. We moved the needle on lobbyist influence, strengthened our Democratic intuitions, and created a more ethical state house so that your voice is heard over donors, corporate lobbyists, and special interest groups that write the biggest check. Chairing the bipartisan Government Oversight Committee has allowed me to be in the driver’s seat in holding state agencies, department heads, and programs accountable to ensure government runs as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Instead of running for re-election, I plan to use this time to empower the next generation of voters through the launch of a civics education organization called the Maine Democracy Project, will publish a full-length children’s book version of my state government coloring book The Great Whoopie Pie Debate, and will be working to help retain Democratic majorities in the Legislature.
As I’ve always believed, this has been and continues to be your seat, not mine. I will be working for you as your Senator through the end of the year, but even beyond that I’m always here for you. That will never change. This decision, while extremely difficult, will hopefully enable me to amplify my impact statewide and was made easier knowing that our Senate district will be in very capable hands. While I’m stepping away from elected office, I remain steadfast in my commitment to public service. It’s not the title that makes the leader, it’s how you improve the lives of those around you. That drive to make a difference will always be with me. It may be packaged differently, but inherently whatever I choose to do next, will reflect my passion for people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the residents of Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Limington, and Buxton for the honor of representing our area, fighting for our shared values, and lifting up my hometown community for so long. This has truly been an incredible journey of service.
Looking back, I’ve spent every single year of my twenties running for and serving in the Legislature starting at age 20, being sworn into office just a week before graduating from college, and becoming the youngest openly gay lawmaker in the country. Combining that with a term on the State Board of Education as its first student member back in high school, I’ve spent nearly a decade in public office.
We were able to accomplish much together, culminating this past session in monumental progress. After many years of persistence, I was finally able to pass my top legislative priority; comprehensive campaign finance reform. We moved the needle on lobbyist influence, strengthened our Democratic intuitions, and created a more ethical state house so that your voice is heard over donors, corporate lobbyists, and special interest groups that write the biggest check. Chairing the bipartisan Government Oversight Committee has allowed me to be in the driver’s seat in holding state agencies, department heads, and programs accountable to ensure government runs as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Instead of running for re-election, I plan to use this time to empower the next generation of voters through the launch of a civics education organization called the Maine Democracy Project, will publish a full-length children’s book version of my state government coloring book The Great Whoopie Pie Debate, and will be working to help retain Democratic majorities in the Legislature.
As I’ve always believed, this has been and continues to be your seat, not mine. I will be working for you as your Senator through the end of the year, but even beyond that I’m always here for you. That will never change. This decision, while extremely difficult, will hopefully enable me to amplify my impact statewide and was made easier knowing that our Senate district will be in very capable hands. While I’m stepping away from elected office, I remain steadfast in my commitment to public service. It’s not the title that makes the leader, it’s how you improve the lives of those around you. That drive to make a difference will always be with me. It may be packaged differently, but inherently whatever I choose to do next, will reflect my passion for people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the residents of Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Limington, and Buxton for the honor of representing our area, fighting for our shared values, and lifting up my hometown community for so long. This has truly been an incredible journey of service.
Mayoral Certificate of Service
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Thank you to Saco Mayor Bill Doyle for recognizing our efforts at Saco Main Street to feed those in need with a Certificate of Service from the city. Pictured here alongside Executive Director Rob Biggs. Over the course of 13 weeks, we helped coordinate relief efforts with various groups, fundraised, and served more than 3,000 hot meals while keeping our local small businesses afloat. While being recognized isn't necessary, I hope through our example we can spread a hopeful and positive message that our community is in this together and we are there for one another in times of need now and always.
Photo: Andrew Dickinson/City of Saco |
Ethics reform now law!
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My entire legislative career has been about fighting for a government that works best for you. Proud that after years of persistence, I was finally able to get a campaign finance reform package over the finish line that:
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Fighting to Fix Unemployment
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COVID-19 Relief & Resources
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New Children's Coloring & Activity
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Justin Chenette is serving his 4th term in the Maine legislature with two terms in the Senate and two terms in the House of Representatives. He represents Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Limington, and part of Buxton in the Senate. He is currently the Chair of the bipartisan Government Oversight Committee, Co-Chair of the Democracy Reform Caucus, and is a member of both the Environment & Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Ethics Committee. Justin also serves as a Citizen Trade Policy Commissioner.
Justin is the founder of the Maine Democracy Project which works to empower a new generation of voters, advocates, and leaders through civics education, voter registration, and electoral engagement efforts. He is also the author of a children’s book and coloring book entitled The Great Whoopie Pie Debate, aimed at educating students about how their own government works.
In 2012, Justin made history by becoming the nation’s youngest openly gay legislator and Maine's youngest lawmaker at age 21. He was sworn into office just a week before graduating from college. Justin has been recognized nationally by The Advocate magazine, listing him on their list of the 40 Under 40 most accomplished leaders throughout the country, as well as being awarded a full ride fellowship from the Victory Institute to attend the Senior Executives in State & Local Government program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He has previously served on various policy committees including Criminal Justice & Public Safety, Taxation, State & Local Government, and was co-chair of the youth caucus.
Justin founded a non-profit organization to advance arts education, connect Veterans to job training, help students afford college, and increase volunteerism, investing nearly $10,000 into the community. He continues this work through his nonprofit scholarship fund. Justin is the past president and current vice president of his community’s downtown revitalization organization, Saco Main Street, is an avid volunteer through the Saco Bay Rotary, Vice President of the Friends of the OOB Ballpark, and as a member of the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce and Buxton-Hollis Historical Society.
After attending Saco public schools, he graduated high school from Thornton Academy while taking a full semester of college courses at the University of Southern Maine. Justin graduated from Northern Vermont University-Lyndon with a B.S. in Broadcast News, where he was named the Outstanding Young Alumni in 2019. Justin also earned an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is currently pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta.
He currently works as a licensed Realtor at the Bean Group, as the President of his digital marketing firm, Chenette Media LLC, and is the owner of Maine Property Lovers LLC, a real estate investment company. He previously worked as Saco Sport & Fitness's Marketing Coordinator and the Journal Tribune's Digital Advertising Executive.
Justin is the founder of the Maine Democracy Project which works to empower a new generation of voters, advocates, and leaders through civics education, voter registration, and electoral engagement efforts. He is also the author of a children’s book and coloring book entitled The Great Whoopie Pie Debate, aimed at educating students about how their own government works.
In 2012, Justin made history by becoming the nation’s youngest openly gay legislator and Maine's youngest lawmaker at age 21. He was sworn into office just a week before graduating from college. Justin has been recognized nationally by The Advocate magazine, listing him on their list of the 40 Under 40 most accomplished leaders throughout the country, as well as being awarded a full ride fellowship from the Victory Institute to attend the Senior Executives in State & Local Government program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He has previously served on various policy committees including Criminal Justice & Public Safety, Taxation, State & Local Government, and was co-chair of the youth caucus.
Justin founded a non-profit organization to advance arts education, connect Veterans to job training, help students afford college, and increase volunteerism, investing nearly $10,000 into the community. He continues this work through his nonprofit scholarship fund. Justin is the past president and current vice president of his community’s downtown revitalization organization, Saco Main Street, is an avid volunteer through the Saco Bay Rotary, Vice President of the Friends of the OOB Ballpark, and as a member of the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce and Buxton-Hollis Historical Society.
After attending Saco public schools, he graduated high school from Thornton Academy while taking a full semester of college courses at the University of Southern Maine. Justin graduated from Northern Vermont University-Lyndon with a B.S. in Broadcast News, where he was named the Outstanding Young Alumni in 2019. Justin also earned an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is currently pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta.
He currently works as a licensed Realtor at the Bean Group, as the President of his digital marketing firm, Chenette Media LLC, and is the owner of Maine Property Lovers LLC, a real estate investment company. He previously worked as Saco Sport & Fitness's Marketing Coordinator and the Journal Tribune's Digital Advertising Executive.
