York County Commissioner Justin Chenette has been named Maine County Commissioner of the Month for May 2025 in honor of his public service by Spirit of America Foundation’s Maine Chapter.
 
Justin was elected commissioner in 2022 and served a term as the Commission’s Vice Chair. As the first Millennial and openly LGBTQ+ individual ever elected to the York County Commission, Chenette led the effort to pass the first ever Pride Proclamation in the county’s history.
 
On the Commission, he played a pivotal role in historic investments for substance use recovery and first responder training by committing funds and directing the start of construction for two state-of-the-art centers using ARPA money. He also supported efforts for the county to operationalize a regional dredge to protect coastal communities.
 
“The work we do at the county level is meaningful and impactful,” says Chenette. “I share this recognition with my fellow commissioners in our efforts to ensure county level government provides real leadership on big issues like coastal erosion, homelessness, substance use recovery, and public safety.”​
​
Aside from the Commission, Chenette serves as a state appointee on Maine’s Right to Know Advisory Committee, is an executive committee member of the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission, and visits youth groups to promote civics education.
 
Justin created the Chenette Scholarship Fund, which has awarded nearly 30 college scholarships to graduating high school seniors over the past decade who have demonstrated civic minded leadership in their communities.
 
He previously served as a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 2012-2016 and of the Maine Senate from 2016-2020, representing the Saco area. At age 17, he became the first student member of the Maine Board of Education. 
​
Maine Spirit of America is a chapter of Spirit of America Foundation, an organization promoting community service. For more info, visit https://spiritofamerica.website.

Mainebiz has named York County Commissioner Justin Chenette to their 40 Under 40 list, which highlights the next generation of leaders. 
​
This is the third year the outlet has published a list of individuals they deem as Maine’s ‘up-and-comers who are changing Maine and the economy for the better.’ 

“My purpose-driven adventures spanning media, government, nonprofit management, and communications have all led me to this moment to make the biggest impact in my community and for our state,” says Chenette. “This helps fuel the next chapter of my story.”

Chenette accepted the award at a ceremony at Brick South on Thompson’s Point last month, where they recognized his efforts professionally at Sweetser, as their Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement, and his years in public service.

Chenette was elected to the Maine House of Representatives at age 21, the Maine Senate at age 25, and to the York County Commission at age 31, each time becoming the youngest or the only openly LGBTQ+ individual to serve. He began his career as the first student member on the Maine State Board of Education at age 17, after being appointed by Governor Baldacci.
​
One of the questions Mainebiz asked in their profile was where does Chenette see himself at age 60. His response? “I hope to be giving back in a way that’s impactful, purpose-driven, and meaningfully improves the lives of others. Service is in my blood. It’s a part of who I am.”

Profiles of award recipients are available online at Mainebiz.biz. See Chenette's profile below.​

Three area high school students have been awarded a total of $1,500 in college scholarships from the Chenette Scholarship Fund.

The foundation’s Leadership Scholarship is awarded each year to students at Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle who exemplify qualities of community leadership and civic engagement. This year’s recipients are Tyler MacVane, Derrick Webber, and Gregory Brunk.

​“Their passion for helping others is truly their authentic form of self-expression,” said Justin Chenette, York County Commissioner and founder of the scholarship. “No matter their chosen path in life, their futures will involve making a difference and improving the quality of life of those around them.”

Tyler MacVane of Saco is this year’s recipient at Thornton Academy. Tyler received this award recognizing his efforts volunteering in the community with various causes and working his way to become an Eagle Scout. His Eagle Scout involved building picnic tables for community members to enjoy. Tyler takes the time to appreciate the service of others through efforts like Honor Flight Maine, Wreaths Across America, and placing American flags at Laurel Hill Cemetery for Memorial Day. He will be attending Southern Maine Community College this Fall.
​
Derrick Webber is the scholarship recipient this year from Old Orchard Beach High School. Impressively, Derrick completed at least 130 hours of community service over his time in school for various causes, including volunteering with the school’s Interact club. He has helped out at community events organized by the town’s recreation department, and he participated in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), which is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs where students develop skills as a leader. All while being an all-star athlete on the field and on the court. Derrick will be attending Maine Maritime Academy for Power Engineering Technology this August. 

Gregory Brunk of Buxton is Bonny Eagle High School’s scholarship recipient. This recognizes his efforts volunteering through his church and youth group as well as his commitment to his studies with a 4.0 grade point average. He also excelled in sports, placing 3rd in the state championship for wrestling. Gregory will be attending Maine Maritime Academy later this summer for marine engineering, with hopes of applying his knowledge to working on various ships.
​
Since 2015, the Chenette Scholarship Fund has provided over $12,000 worth of college scholarship awards to students at Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle. Learn more about the scholarship at www.ChenetteScholarships.org. 

SACO AREA – Four area high school students have been awarded a total of $2,000 in college scholarships from the Chenette Scholarship Fund.

The mission of their Leadership Scholarship is to empower the generation of community leaders through service. Since 2015, the foundation has fundraised and awarded over $10,000 worth of scholarships. This year’s recipients are Elise MacNair, Cole Cochrane, Ben Moore, and Luke Plummer.

“I am constantly in awe and so very proud of our scholars,” said Justin Chenette, the foundation’s founder & executive director. “This group isn’t waiting around to make their mark. These young leaders have demonstrated a clear commitment to giving back and will continue inspiring others as they chart new ways of taking up the mantle of leadership.”

SACO/OOB – Four area students have been awarded a total of $2,000 in leadership scholarships from the Chenette Scholarship Fund.
​
The mission of scholarship is to empower the generation of community leaders. 

​SACO - Former State Senator Justin Chenette, of Saco, has announced he is running for a seat on the York County Commission in next year’s election.
 
“I’m running to be your next county commissioner to fight every single day for a more accessible, transparent, and accountable government -- just like I’ve done in the legislature,” says Chenette. “We should expect more from our elected officials than just the bare minimum; They should be accountable to you.”
 
One of the biggest issues Chenette sees is the lack of engagement and awareness of what is happening with county government. 
 
“The county commission shouldn’t be Maine’s lost level of government. Sadly, we don’t see a lot of attention paid to county government actions and that directly stems from our elected officials not engaging the public throughout the decision-making process. I’m seeking to change that with a new generation of leadership on the commission.”
 
Chenette plans to hold monthly office hours, attend community events, and provide frequent updates through social media, email newsletters, and newspaper columns to keep the public informed and to get direct feedback. He also wants to see commission meetings held in the evening instead of during the day to encourage greater participation. 
 
If elected, Chenette would be the first millennial ever elected to the commission, at age 30, and would be the only commissioner who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He previously made history as the youngest lawmaker in the country when he was first elected to the Maine House of Representatives at age 21. He served a total of 8 years in the legislature, with two terms in the House and two terms in the Senate, including a stint as chairman of the bipartisan Government Oversight Committee. 
 
Chenette is currently the only registered candidate with the Maine Ethics Commission for the District #3 seat which includes Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Buxton, and Dayton, though the district is subject to redistricting changes. The commission term is 4 years and the Primary Election is set for next June. 
 
To view Chenette’s full action plan, visit www.AccountableToYou.org. 

Chenette has also been named a Maine-Canadian Legislative Advisory Commissioner to engage in regional cooperation through economic, cultural and educational exchanges. The purpose of this commission is to strengthen the relations between the legislature and their legislative counterparts in Canada.

“Our area relies heavily on Canadian tourism to benefit our local small businesses,” says Chenette. “As commissioner, I hope to bring about further awareness and attention around how we can work together across the border for mutual benefit.”
​
Both appointments do not require Senate approval and begin immediately. Chenette previously served 2 terms in the House and 2 terms in the Senate and chaired the Government Oversight Committee. 

ROCKLAND — The Worthington Scholarship Foundation, with a mission to create a pathway to college for students throughout Maine, has hired Justin Chenette of Saco as its new program director.
Chenette spent nearly a decade in public office having served 8 years in the legislature, with two terms in the Maine House of Representatives and two terms in the Maine Senate. At the time, Chenette was the youngest lawmaker in the entire country at age 21. Prior to that, Chenette made history as the first high school student appointed to the Maine State Board of Education and in college, was a congressional intern.
​
“There is no greater gift than the gift of education,” says Chenette. ‘The Worthingtons’ are providing Maine’s next generation a lifeline to success through their charity and support. I’m honored to be part of a great team advancing the mission of getting more Maine students into higher education without affordability being a barrier.”

Chenette’s education includes a B.S. in Broadcast News from Northern Vermont University-Lyndon and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, after receiving a national fellowship. This month, Chenette earns a Post-Baccalaureate Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta.

“We are thankful to have someone with Justin’s background and passion for youth engagement helping to lead this effort,” said Rick Bedigian, the foundation’s executive director. “He will be a key asset as we seek to expand to more parts of the state.”

The Worthington Scholarship Foundation provides one of the largest scholarships in the state of Maine, totaling up to $16,500 per student over four years. This year, the foundation will award more than $3 million worth of scholarships to students going to college in Maine. Aside from funding, the scholarship includes ongoing support to their student scholars to ensure a high graduation rate.
​
Worthington Scholarships began in 2010 with awards to graduates of just Oceanside High School. Since then, the program has expanded to high schools in Knox, Waldo, Lincoln, Hancock, and Washington counties. Recipients may attend any campus of the University of Maine or Maine community college system, Maine Maritime Academy, Husson University, Thomas, Bates, Colby or Bowdoin colleges.   
Future goals are to accept graduates in 6 additional counties of Oxford, Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Franklin, and Sagadahoc. 

FMI about the scholarship program visit www.worthingtonscholars.org.