Margaret Craven (politician)

Margaret Craven (born 1944) is an American politician from Maine.^[1] Craven served as a Democratic State Senator from Maine's 16th District, representing Lewiston. She was first elected to office in 2002, when she won a seat in the Maine House of Representatives. She served in the House from 2002-2008, when she was elected to the Maine State Senate. She was re-elected in 2010.^[1] In February 2014, Craven announced her retirement from Maine politics following the 2014 election, citing the need to take care of her ailing husband.^[2]

Personal

Craven was born into an impoverished family of 11 in Galway, Republic of Ireland; her father worked odd jobs and her mother was a housewife.^[3] Craven moved to Boston, Massachusetts in the 1961 at the age of 17 and worked as a housekeeper. She eventually returned to Ireland, only to move back to New England after feeling a sense of not belonging. She moved to Maine, earned a high school diploma, bachelor's and master's degrees and began work with the disabled and senior citizens. She was convinced to run in 2002 by the outgoing state representative.^[3][4] She has two children, Walter Matthew and TJ.^[1]

References