Joel Abromson

I. Joel Abromson (1938 - January 14, 2002) was an American politician in Maine. Abromson was a Republican State Senator representing Falmouth, Long Island and part of Portland (District 27). He sponsored legislation to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. When he died in January 2002, the Maine Lesbian Gay Political Alliance called Abromson a "champion and a true friend".[1] His final day in the legislature was in December 2001, when he voted to confirm Leigh Saufley as the new Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.[2]

At the time of Abromson's death, the Maine Senate was evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, with one unenrolled senator as well. His death gave the Democrats a 17-16 advantage, though Republican Rick Bennett maintained his position as President of the Maine Senate due to a power-sharing agreement. State Representative Michael F. Brennan narrowly won a special election to replace Abromson.[3]

References

  1. Pfeifle, Sam (January 17–24, 2002). "THIS JUST IN". The Phoenix. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  2. Higgins, A.J. (January 15, 2002). "Maine senator dies of cancer". Bangor Daily News. pp. A1 / A4. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  3. "The Maine Senate Democrats". Retrieved 22 January 2012.