Sen. Chenette takes oath of office as youngest Maine Senator

AUGUSTA — Sen. Justin Chenette, D-Saco, was inaugurated to the Maine Senate during a swearing-in ceremony held Wednesday at the State House in Augusta.
 
In doing so, Sen. Chenette has become the youngest senator in Maine at age 25 and one of the youngest state senators in the country. He is also one of the only people to have the distinction of being recognized as both the youngest representative and youngest senator in Maine, having been elected at age 21 to the House.

---

Sen. Chenette is beginning his first term in the Maine Senate, having previously served two terms in the House of Representatives, from 2012 through 2016. He has previously served on the Legislature’s Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and Committee on State and Local Government. He also co-chaired the Legislature's bipartisan youth caucus.
 
“Once again, we find ourselves in divided government,” said Sen. Chenette. “It would be easy to believe that means we cannot achieve anything. But we learned over that last two years that divided government is an opportunity to reach across the aisle and come together for the greater good. We can do it again, and I look forward to hitting the ground running.”

---

Maine Sen. Justin Chenette (right), D-Saco, hugs Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, after being sworn in during the first session of the 128th Legislature on Wednesday at the State House in Augusta. (BDN photo)

The 128th Legislature will convene for its first day of regular business on Wednesday, January 4th. Members of the Legislature have until Friday, December 30th, to submit bills for consideration in 2017. Constituents interested in speaking to Sen. Chenette about bill ideas are encouraged to call his State House office at 287-1515.
 
The senator’s office can also set up State House tours and connect local students with the Honorary Page program, assist with any state government-related issues, and help navigate government agencies. For more information, visit mainesenate.org. 
 
Sen. Chenette represents Senate District 31, which includes the communities of Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Limington and a part of Buxton.

---