three h

3H    Get Involved, Get Elected

Moderators:

Kate Simmons, 2008 Caucus Director/Maine House Democrats

Kate Simmons is the Legislative and Communications Director in the Office of Maine Attorney General Janet Mills.  During the 2006 election cycle, Kate served as the Democratic House Caucus Director and lead the campaigns of over 151 candidates for the Maine House of Representatives.  Kate is the founding executive director of Emerge Maine, a program to recruit, inspire and train Democratic women to run for office.  Before moving to Maine in 2005, Kate worked on numerous congressional races across the country, served as a regional field director for John Kerry during the Iowa Caucuses in 2004, and ran national campaigns for the Sierra Club to reduce the pollution that causes global warming.  Kate grew up in Skokie, IL, and recieved a degree in Biology and English from Colgate University.  She lives in Camden, ME.

Emily Mitchell, Attorney/Small Business Owner

Emily Mitchell is familiar with the elections process by osmosis since she is the daughter, sister, or friend of a number of Maine's current and former elected officials.  She is currently lending a hand with her mother's gubernatorial campaign, practicing law in Augusta at Mitchell and Davis, PA and testing her entrepreneurial mettle running Lupine Farm, a horseback riding, training, and boarding facility, in her hometown, Vassalboro. Since returning to Maine several years ago, Emily has been active with a variety of organizations. In addition to serving on the REALIZE!Maine Steering Committee, she currently serves on the board KIDS LEGAL AID, and she is a founding member of Bowl Portland. She is a former board member of the Portland Stage Company.  Emily graduated from Princeton University in 2003 and the University of Maine School of Law in 2008.

Speakers:

Hannah Pingree, Speaker of the House

Hannah Pingree, as Speaker of the House, is a leader on issues relating to renewable energy, the environment and health care and has guided several new laws through the legislature on these issues.  Pingree is serving her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives and her first as Speaker of the House. Rep. Pingree previously served as the House Majority Leader during the 123rd Legislature and was the House Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee during the 122nd Legislature. In her first term she was a member of the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee. In addition to serving in the Legislature, professionally, Hannah helps run her family's inn on the island of North Haven. Hannah is an honors graduate of North Haven Community School, Brown University and was a 1998-99 Fellow for Leadership in Public Affairs for the Coro Foundation in New York City. In the Legislature she represents 11 islands and coastal towns. She grew up on the island of North Haven.”

Andy O'Brien, State Representative

Andy O'Brien was born at home in a farmhouse in Lincolnville. After graduating from Camden-Rockport High School, Andy attended Drew University in New Jersey, where he received a bachelor degree in history. From 2001, he taught ESL in Taiwan and worked as a political reporter and human rights activist. He also toured extensively with his rock band throughout East and South East Asia. Upon returning to Maine in 2007, Andy worked as a landscaper, painter, factory laborer, residential counselor and front desk attendant at a homeless shelter. After getting elected to the Maine State House of Representatives, Andy was appointed to the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee where he continues to work on bills concerning the use of pesticides. Currently, Andy is enrolled at the University of Southern Maine, where he pursuing a graduate degree in education.

Matt Peterson, State Representative

Rep. Matt Peterson is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives. His major areas of focus are long-term care, services for people with a disability, community development, education and substance abuse prevention. Rep. Peterson is employed by Alpha One, Maine’s Center for Independent Living. In 2007, he was selected by the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) for a policy and advocacy fellowship to explore deinstitutionalization and consumer-driven person attendant services. He enjoys volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters, playing quad rugby and wheelchair racing.

Seth A. Goodall, State Senator

Senator Seth Goodall (D – Sagadahoc County) is currently serving in is his first term in the Maine Legislature, where he serves on the Joint Select Committees on Natural Resources, which he co-chairs, and Legal and Veterans Affairs.  At thirty-one, Seth is the youngest member of the State Senate.  Seth become involved in business and public service at an early age starting Goodall Landscaping of Topsham with his brother, which employs nearly 50 people today, and chairing the Richmond Selectboard.  Seth also served locally on Richmond’s Economic Community Development Board, Land Use Ordinance Review Board and School Regionalization Planning Committee for RSU #2.  Prior to running for the Legislature, Seth served as Legal Counsel for Maine Senate President Beth Edmonds.  Seth is a graduate of the University of Connecticut (B.S. and M.S.) and the University of Maine School of Law (J.D.), and he works at the law firm of McCloskey, Mina, Cunniff & Dilworth.  Seth and his wife, LeAnn Greenleaf, live in Richmond.

Jenna Vendil, District 1 Member Elect, Portland School Committee 

Jenna Vendil is the latest addition to Portland's School Committee, representing one of the youngest, most diverse districts in the city.  Jenna brings seven years worth of activism, advocacy, and organizing experience to the progressive movement, having worked for organizations like Maine People's Alliance, Opportunity Maine, and Preble Street Resource Center on issues ranging affordable health care to economic justice.  As Field Director of the Maine League of Young Voters, her work has influenced or swung over twenty races local and state races in the last three years.  Jenna was born and raised in San Francisco.  She moved to Maine in 2002 to attend Bates College, where she earned degrees in Political Science and Cultural Studies.  In 2008, she was awarded University of New England's Perdita Huston Purple Starfish Award for her extensive leadership in social change.  At the age of 25, Jenna is Portland's youngest elected official and first Filipino-American to sit on the School Committee.