Mike Michaud

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Mike Michaud

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 2003–
Preceded by	John Baldacci
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	January 18, 1955 (age 52) Medway, Maine
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	single
Religion	Roman Catholic

Michael H. (Mike) Michaud was born January 18, 1955 in Millinocket, Maine. He has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing Maine's 2nd congressional district. He was first elected in 2002, narrowly defeating Republican Kevin Raye in the race to replace John Baldacci (who was elected Governor). The 2002 race garnered a great deal of publicity as, in a reverse of most Congressional races, Democrat Michaud was the pro-life candidate while Republican Raye was pro-choice. Michaud was the only freshman Democratic member of Congress to vote for 2003's ban on partial-birth abortion. He was re-elected in 2004, defeating Republican Brian Hamel of Presque Isle by a large margin. In the House he serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Small Business Committee. In the 2006 elections he won 70.5% of the vote against Republican Laurence S. D'Amboise.

He grew up in Medway, Maine, and was a mill worker before entering politics. His political career began when he campaigned to clean up the Penobscot River. He was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 1980, and in 1994 to the Maine Senate. In 1996, he became the chair of the state Senate Appropriation Committee. He was unanimously elected President of the Maine Senate in 2000.

Since being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Michaud has been an influential member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and its Health Subcommittee. Michaud has fought for extended benefits for veterans. He has also called for the lowering of the cost of prescription drugs.

Congressman Michaud represents the largest House district east of the Mississippi River.

Michaud is a member of Blue Dog Coalition, a group of conservative congressional Democrats.

[edit] Election History

Year	Office	Election	Subject	Party	Votes	%	Opponent	Party	Votes	%	Opponent	Party	Votes	%
2002	Maine's 2nd congressional district	General	Mike Michaud	Democratic	116,868	52.01	Kevin Raye	Republican	107,849	47.99
2004	Maine's 2nd congressional district	General	Mike Michaud	Democratic	199,303	58.03	Brian Hamel	Republican	135,547	39.47	Carl Cooley	Independent^[1]	8,586	2.50
2006	Maine's 2nd congressional district	General	Mike Michaud	Democratic	176,218	70.49	Laurence D'Amboise	Republican	73,779	29.51