In December of an election year the incoming members begin their work of selecting leadership, choosing constitutional officers; Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer and every four years, state auditor. Maine is the only state where all constitutional officers are still selected exclusively by the Legislature. Selected Officials-selection-term 2011 (See the attached chart showing how other states choose their constitutional officers.) Due to the shift in majority control in both chambers, the Democratic nominees were selected. For Attorney General- Janet Mills was again elected, Secretary of State- Matthew Dunlap was again chosen, for state Treasurer-Neiria Douglas, the current state Auditor (who was unable to run for her current position due to term limits) and for Auditor, Pola Buckley. While we are sorry to see our current Attorney General, Secretary of State and Treasurer leaving, I beleive those incoming members will do their best to attend to the business of the state.

In leadership elections for the House Mark Eves of Berwick was chosen as Speaker, Seth Berry of Bowdoinham was tapped to be Democratic Floor Leader and Jeff McCabe of Skowhegan was the choice for Assistant Leader. Berry had the only leadership experience having served as the Assistant Leader in the 124th Legislature. On the Republican side Ken Fredette of Newport became the Republican Floor LEader and Alexander Willette of Mapleton is his Assistant Leader

In the Senate Justin Alfond was the choice for Presidentof the Senate, Seth Goodall of Bowdinham is the Democratic Floor Leader, Troy Jackson of Allagash is the Assistant Leader. The Republicans chose Mike Thibodeau of Winterport as our Floor Leader and his able Assistant Leader is Roger Katz of Augusta.

This puts in place the teams who will lead our efforts during this 126th Legislature.