Michael H. Michaud

Michael H. Michaud served as a Representative from Maine in the United States Congress from 2003 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, Michael H. Michaud contributed to the legislative process during 6 terms in office.

Michael H. Michaud’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Michael H. Michaud participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Michael Herman Michaud ( mee-SHOW; born January 18, 1955) is an American businessman and politician from Maine. Michaud served as the U.S. representative for Maine’s 2nd congressional district from 2003 to 2015. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The primarily rural district comprises nearly 80% of the state by area and includes the cities of Lewiston, Auburn, Bangor, Presque Isle, and Ellsworth. It is the largest Congressional district by area east of the Mississippi River. Michaud was previously President of the Maine Senate. He was employed for over two decades at the Great Northern Paper Company and remains a member of the United Steelworkers. He was one of the few members of Congress during his tenure who did not attend college. He did, however, attend the John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University. He has also been awarded honorary Doctor of Public Service degrees from Maine’s Unity College, Husson College, and Maine Maritime Academy. Michaud, who speaks a little French, is the first openly Franco-American to be elected to a U.S. federal office from Maine. He was elected as a co-chair of the congressional French Caucus in January 2011. He came out as gay in 2013, becoming one of the few openly LGBT members of Congress and the first to reside in Maine. Michaud was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Maine in the 2014 election. While initially considered a favorite by some analysts on account of the general unpopularity of incumbent Paul LePage, he lost by a margin larger than expected. He currently holds a seat on the East Millinocket Board of Selectmen.