Chellie Pingree
Encyclopedia
Rochelle M. "Chellie" Pingree (born April 2, 1955) is an American
politician. She is a Democratic
member of the United States House of Representatives
, representing since 2009. The district includes most of the southern part of the state, including Portland
and Augusta
.
Pingree was a member of the Maine Senate
from 1992 to 2000, serving as majority leader
from 1996 to 2000. She was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate
in 2002
, losing to Republican
Susan Collins
. From 2003 to 2006, she was President and CEO of Common Cause
. She is the first Democratic woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine.
, but has lived in Maine since she was a teenager. She attended the University of Southern Maine
and graduated from the College of the Atlantic
with a degree in Human Ecology. Since graduating from College of the Atlantic, she has lived in North Haven
, a small island community 12 miles off Rockland
.
Pingree held various farming and care-taking jobs until 1981, when she started North Island Yarn, a cottage industry of hand knitters with a retail store on North Haven. Her business expanded and became North Island Designs, employing as many as ten workers. They began marketing knitting kits and pattern books nationwide through 1,200 retail stores and 100,000 mail order catalogues. Through North Island Designs, Pingree authored and produced five knitting books between 1986 and 1992.
are Net Neutrality; Mandatory Voter-Verified Paper Ballots; Public Financing of Congressional Elections; National Popular Vote (a work-around of the Electoral College), and an Independent Ethics Commission for Congress. She stepped down from Common Cause in February 2007 to return to her home state, in order to run for Congress in 2008.
, although counseled by party insiders to avoid that subject. She won re-election a second term in 1996. In 2000, she was forced to leave the Legislature due to term limits.
representing Knox County
. She was elected Maine's second female Senate Majority Leader on December 4, 1996.
During her tenure as a state legislator, Pingree led several economic development initiatives including landmark legislation to enhance small business opportunities and keep businesses in Maine. She gained nationwide headlines when she authored the nation's first bill regulating prescription drug prices, Maine Rx. Pingree also shepherded Maine's largest land-bill initiative, Land for Maine's Future.
. Collins, a popular moderate incumbent, won by a margin of 16%.
In April 2007, Pingree filed papers for her bid to run for Maine's 1st congressional district
. On August 15th, 2007, EMILY's List
endorsed Pingree's campaign for Congress in Maine's 1st District. In December 2007 she also received the endorsement of 21st Century Democrats
. She was endorsed by a number of labor organizations and many individuals and state officials, including Congressman Rush D. Holt, Jr.
; Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky
; Maine Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell; former Maine Senate Assistant Majority Leader Anne Rand; State Representative Paulette Beaudoin; State Representative Nancy Smith; progressive writer and activist Jim Hightower
; the United Auto Workers
; Planned Parenthood
, and the League of Conservation Voters
.
The top contributors to Pingree's campaign were securities and investment industries, providing roughly $123,900,000 in funding. Key contributors include Paloma Partners, Caremi Partners, and the JStreet PAC, contributing $74.3 million, $16.4 million, and $14.6 million respectively.
Pingree was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2008. She was sworn in to Congress on January 6, 2009.
2010
In 2010, Pingree ran for reelection, and won, defeating Republican challenger Dean Scontras by a 57-43 margin. She overcame strong anti-Democrat and anti-incumbent political sentiment to become just one of eight Democrats in the House of Representatives to receive a higher percentage of the vote than in 2008.
.
In September 2010, a video surfaced on the internet showing Pingree disembarking a private jet at Portland International Jetport
owned by her then-fiancé, hedge fund manager S. Donald Sussman. This drew criticism because of past statements Pingree had made that were critical about legislators using private aircraft. The House Ethics Committee, in a bipartisan letter, stated the travel was permissible under House ethics rules.
, NARAL Pro-Choice America
, and the League of Conservation Voters
. Pingree typically receives moderate to low approval ratings from socially and economically conservative groups such as the American Family Association
and Citizens Against Government Waste
, who in 2009 gave Pingree ratings of 0% and 1% respectively. In 2010 the American political magazine National Journal
gave Pingree a Composite Conservative rating of 9%, and a Composite Liberal rating of 92%.
committee funding.
Pingree has consistently voted against resolutions promoting aggressive foreign policy. Pingree voted "yea" in March 2011 on a resolution to remove forces from Afghanistan
. In June 2011, Pingree voted "yea" on House Resolution 292, preventing President Barack Obama
from deploying ground forces in Libya
.
, is the Ex-Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives
.
On June 18, 2011, Pingree married S. Donald Sussman. The small private ceremony was held at the couple's North Haven home. Pingree met Sussman in 2007 and the two became engaged in 2008.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician. She is a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, representing since 2009. The district includes most of the southern part of the state, including Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
and Augusta
Augusta, Maine
Augusta is the capital of the US state of Maine, county seat of Kennebec County, and center of population for Maine. The city's population was 19,136 at the 2010 census, making it the third-smallest state capital after Montpelier, Vermont and Pierre, South Dakota...
.
Pingree was a member of the Maine Senate
Maine Senate
The Maine Senate is the upper house of the Maine Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maine. The Senate currently consists of 35 members representing an equal number of districts across the state, though the Maine Constitution allows for "an odd number of Senators, not less than...
from 1992 to 2000, serving as majority leader
Majority leader
In U.S. politics, the majority floor leader is a partisan position in a legislative body.In the federal Congress, the role differs slightly in the two houses. In the House of Representatives, which chooses its own presiding officer, the leader of the majority party is elected the Speaker of the...
from 1996 to 2000. She was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 2002
United States Senate election in Maine, 2002
-See also:...
, losing to Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Susan Collins
Susan Collins
Susan Margaret Collins is the junior United States Senator from Maine and a member of the Republican Party. First elected to the Senate in 1996, she is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs...
. From 2003 to 2006, she was President and CEO of Common Cause
Common Cause
Common Cause is a self-described nonpartisan, nonprofit lobby and advocacy organization. It was founded in 1970 by John W. Gardner, a Republican former cabinet secretary under Lyndon Johnson, as a "citizens' lobby" with a mission focused on making U.S. political institutions more open and...
. She is the first Democratic woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine.
Early life, education, and career
Pingree was born in Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, but has lived in Maine since she was a teenager. She attended the University of Southern Maine
University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine is a multi-campus public urban comprehensive university and part of the University of Maine System. USM's three primary campuses are located in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston...
and graduated from the College of the Atlantic
College of the Atlantic
The College of the Atlantic, founded in 1969, is a private, alternative liberal-arts college located in Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Maine, United States. It awards a bachelor's degree solely in the field of human ecology, though with a variety of emphases. The college is small, with...
with a degree in Human Ecology. Since graduating from College of the Atlantic, she has lived in North Haven
North Haven, Maine
North Haven is a town in Knox County, Maine, United States, in Penobscot Bay. The town is both a year-round island community and a prominent summer colony. The population was 381 at the 2000 census...
, a small island community 12 miles off Rockland
Rockland, Maine
Rockland is a city in Knox County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 7,297. It is the county seat of Knox County. The city is a popular tourist destination...
.
Pingree held various farming and care-taking jobs until 1981, when she started North Island Yarn, a cottage industry of hand knitters with a retail store on North Haven. Her business expanded and became North Island Designs, employing as many as ten workers. They began marketing knitting kits and pattern books nationwide through 1,200 retail stores and 100,000 mail order catalogues. Through North Island Designs, Pingree authored and produced five knitting books between 1986 and 1992.
Common Cause
As Common Cause's leader, Pingree strengthened the organization's programs in media reform and elections, while maintaining programs in ethics and money in politics. Among the specific issues she championed at Common CauseCommon Cause
Common Cause is a self-described nonpartisan, nonprofit lobby and advocacy organization. It was founded in 1970 by John W. Gardner, a Republican former cabinet secretary under Lyndon Johnson, as a "citizens' lobby" with a mission focused on making U.S. political institutions more open and...
are Net Neutrality; Mandatory Voter-Verified Paper Ballots; Public Financing of Congressional Elections; National Popular Vote (a work-around of the Electoral College), and an Independent Ethics Commission for Congress. She stepped down from Common Cause in February 2007 to return to her home state, in order to run for Congress in 2008.
Elections
Pingree was first elected in 1992 at the age of 37, defeating a popular Republican incumbent. She was outspoken against going to war against IraqGulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, although counseled by party insiders to avoid that subject. She won re-election a second term in 1996. In 2000, she was forced to leave the Legislature due to term limits.
Tenure
Pingree served as the Senate Majority Leader in the Maine SenateMaine Senate
The Maine Senate is the upper house of the Maine Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maine. The Senate currently consists of 35 members representing an equal number of districts across the state, though the Maine Constitution allows for "an odd number of Senators, not less than...
representing Knox County
Knox County, Maine
Knox County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of 2010, the population was 39,736. Its county seat is Rockland. The county is named for American Revolutionary War general and Secretary of War Henry Knox, who lived in the county from 1795 until his death in 1806. The county was...
. She was elected Maine's second female Senate Majority Leader on December 4, 1996.
During her tenure as a state legislator, Pingree led several economic development initiatives including landmark legislation to enhance small business opportunities and keep businesses in Maine. She gained nationwide headlines when she authored the nation's first bill regulating prescription drug prices, Maine Rx. Pingree also shepherded Maine's largest land-bill initiative, Land for Maine's Future.
2002 run for U.S. Senate
In 2002, she made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican junior U.S. Senator Susan CollinsSusan Collins
Susan Margaret Collins is the junior United States Senator from Maine and a member of the Republican Party. First elected to the Senate in 1996, she is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs...
. Collins, a popular moderate incumbent, won by a margin of 16%.
Elections
2008In April 2007, Pingree filed papers for her bid to run for Maine's 1st congressional district
Maine's 1st congressional district
Maine's 1st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Maine. The geographically smaller of the two congressional districts in the state, the district covers the southern coastal area of the state. The district consists of all of Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc,...
. On August 15th, 2007, EMILY's List
EMILY's List
EMILY's List is a political action committee in the United States that aims to help elect female candidates to office. It was founded by Ellen Malcolm in 1984....
endorsed Pingree's campaign for Congress in Maine's 1st District. In December 2007 she also received the endorsement of 21st Century Democrats
21st Century Democrats
21st Century Democrats is a political organization founded by Senator Tom Harkin, commentator Jim Hightower and Congressman Lane Evans to help elect "progressive" or "populist" candidates.- Background :...
. She was endorsed by a number of labor organizations and many individuals and state officials, including Congressman Rush D. Holt, Jr.
Rush D. Holt, Jr.
Rush Dew Holt, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Democratic Party. He is currently the only Quaker in Congress.-Early life and education :Rush D. Holt was born to Rush D...
; Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky
Jan Schakowsky
Janice D. "Jan" Schakowsky is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party.The district includes many of Chicago's northern suburbs, including Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Park Ridge, Des Plaines and Rosemont...
; Maine Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell; former Maine Senate Assistant Majority Leader Anne Rand; State Representative Paulette Beaudoin; State Representative Nancy Smith; progressive writer and activist Jim Hightower
Jim Hightower
James Allen "Jim" Hightower is an American syndicated columnist, activist and author.-Life and career:Born in Denison, Texas, Hightower came from a working class background. He worked his way through college as assistant general manager of the Denton Chamber of Commerce and later landed a spot as...
; the United Auto Workers
United Auto Workers
The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, better known as the United Auto Workers , is a labor union which represents workers in the United States and Puerto Rico, and formerly in Canada. Founded as part of the Congress of Industrial...
; Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
, and the League of Conservation Voters
League of Conservation Voters
The League of Conservation Voters is a political advocacy organization founded in 1969 by American environmentalist David Brower in the early years of the environmental movement. LCV's mission is to "advocate for sound environmental policies and to elect pro-environmental candidates who will adopt...
.
The top contributors to Pingree's campaign were securities and investment industries, providing roughly $123,900,000 in funding. Key contributors include Paloma Partners, Caremi Partners, and the JStreet PAC, contributing $74.3 million, $16.4 million, and $14.6 million respectively.
Pingree was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2008. She was sworn in to Congress on January 6, 2009.
2010
In 2010, Pingree ran for reelection, and won, defeating Republican challenger Dean Scontras by a 57-43 margin. She overcame strong anti-Democrat and anti-incumbent political sentiment to become just one of eight Democrats in the House of Representatives to receive a higher percentage of the vote than in 2008.
Tenure
Pingree is a member of the Congressional Progressive CaucusCongressional Progressive Caucus
The Congressional Progressive Caucus is the largest caucus within the Democratic caucus in the United States Congress with 83 declared members, and works to advance progressive issues and positions....
.
In September 2010, a video surfaced on the internet showing Pingree disembarking a private jet at Portland International Jetport
Portland International Jetport
Portland International Jetport is a public airport located two miles west of the central business district of Portland, in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. It is owned by the city of Portland...
owned by her then-fiancé, hedge fund manager S. Donald Sussman. This drew criticism because of past statements Pingree had made that were critical about legislators using private aircraft. The House Ethics Committee, in a bipartisan letter, stated the travel was permissible under House ethics rules.
Committee assignments
- Committee on AgricultureUnited States House Committee on AgricultureThe U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, or Agriculture Committee is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. The House Committee on Agriculture has general jurisdiction over federal agriculture policy and oversight of some federal agencies, and it can recommend funding...
- Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry
- Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture
- Committee on Armed ServicesUnited States House Committee on Armed Servicesthumb|United States House Committee on Armed Services emblemThe U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives...
- Subcommittee on Military Personnel
- Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
Political Positions
On her campaign website, Pingree lists supporting small business in Maine, holding banks and credit cards accountable for consumer protection, increasing Maine manufacturing jobs and preventing the overseas outsourcing of these jobs as key elements of her economic strategy. Pingree's goals additionally include working towards health care reform, increasing women's rights and equality in the workplace, acquiring more sources of clean energy, and ending the war in Afghanistan.Interest Group Ratings
Pingree consistently receives high approval ratings from labor, pro-choice, and environmental interest groups. In 2010, Pingree received a rating of 100% from the AFL-CIOAFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
, NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice America , formerly the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, then National Abortion Rights Action League, and later National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, is an organization in the United States that engages in political action to oppose...
, and the League of Conservation Voters
League of Conservation Voters
The League of Conservation Voters is a political advocacy organization founded in 1969 by American environmentalist David Brower in the early years of the environmental movement. LCV's mission is to "advocate for sound environmental policies and to elect pro-environmental candidates who will adopt...
. Pingree typically receives moderate to low approval ratings from socially and economically conservative groups such as the American Family Association
American Family Association
The American Family Association is a 501 non-profit organization that promotes conservative Christian values, such as opposition to same-sex marriage, pornography, and abortion, as well as other public policy goals such as deregulation of the oil industry and lobbying against the Employee Free...
and Citizens Against Government Waste
Citizens Against Government Waste
Citizens Against Government Waste is a 501 non-profit organization in the United States. It functions as a think-tank, 'government watchdog', and advocacy group for fiscally conservative causes...
, who in 2009 gave Pingree ratings of 0% and 1% respectively. In 2010 the American political magazine National Journal
National Journal
National Journal is a nonpartisan American weekly magazine that reports on the current political environment and emerging political and policy trends. National Journal was first published in 1969. Times Mirror owned the magazine from 1986 to 1997, when it was purchased by David G. Bradley...
gave Pingree a Composite Conservative rating of 9%, and a Composite Liberal rating of 92%.
Other Issues
Pingree helped draft the Fair Elections Now Act, a proposal to provide public 'Fair Elections' funding for popular candidates who raised a sufficient number of small local contributions. Pingree has spoken out against the 2011 Supreme Court ruling McComish v. Bennett, which limited public financing systems for congressional candidate campaigns. The representative favors a campaign finance system that provides increased opportunities for candidates who lack the benefits of private interest and independent expenditureIndependent expenditure
-Definition:In elections in the United States, an independent expenditure is a political campaign communication which expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate that is not made in cooperation, consultation or concert with or at the request or suggestion of a...
committee funding.
Pingree has consistently voted against resolutions promoting aggressive foreign policy. Pingree voted "yea" in March 2011 on a resolution to remove forces from Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. In June 2011, Pingree voted "yea" on House Resolution 292, preventing President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
from deploying ground forces in Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
.
Electoral results
- 2010 General Election - Maine's 1st Congressional District
- Chellie Pingree (D) 57%
- Dean Scontras (R) 43%
- 2008 General Election - Maine's 1st Congressional District
- Chellie Pingree (D) 55%
- Charlie Summers (R) 45%
- 2008 Democratic Primary - Maine's 1st Congressional District
- Chellie Pingree 44%
- Adam Cote 28%
- Michael BrennanMichael F. BrennanMichael F. Brennan is a Maine politician. Brennan, a Democrat, served as State Senator from 2002-2006 and Senate Majority Leader and a 2008 Democratic candidate for Maine's 1st congressional district. On May 15, 2011 Brennan announced his candidacy in the Portland, Maine mayoral election...
11% - Ethan StrimlingEthan StrimlingEthan King Strimling is a former Democratic State Senator from Maine's 8th District. He served in the Maine State Senate from 2002 to 2009. He was replaced by Justin Alfond. In July 2011, Strimling announced his candidacy for Mayor of Portland, Maine...
11% - Mark LawrenceMark Lawrence (politician)Mark W. Lawrence is a Maine lawyer and former politician. A Democrat, Lawrence served in the Maine State Legislature from 1988-2000. He served as Senate President from 1997-2000. He challenged Republican incumbent Olympia Snowe in the 2000 U.S. Senate election and lost. He lost in the Democratic...
5% - Stephen Meister 1%
- 2002 Race for U.S. Senate
- Susan CollinsSusan CollinsSusan Margaret Collins is the junior United States Senator from Maine and a member of the Republican Party. First elected to the Senate in 1996, she is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs...
(R) (inc.), 58% - Chellie Pingree (D), 42%
- Susan Collins
Personal life
Pingree has three children; the oldest, Hannah PingreeHannah Pingree
Hannah M. Pingree is a Democratic politician from the State of Maine and daughter of Maine politician Chellie Pingree. She served four terms in the State Legislature including one as Speaker of the House before being forced to leave office by state term limits. In the Legislature she represented...
, is the Ex-Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives
Maine House of Representatives
The Maine House of Representatives is the lower house of the Maine Legislature. The House consists of 151 members representing an equal amount of districts across the state. Each voting member of the House represents around 8,450 citizens of the state...
.
On June 18, 2011, Pingree married S. Donald Sussman. The small private ceremony was held at the couple's North Haven home. Pingree met Sussman in 2007 and the two became engaged in 2008.
External links
- Congresswoman Chellie Pingree official U.S. House site
- Chellie Pingree for U.S. Congress official campaign site
- Common Cause official website