Michael F. Brennan
Encyclopedia
Michael 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
. On November 9, Brennan became the first directly-elected mayor in Portland since 1923 when he won the 15-candidate contest.
Michael is a licensed clinical social worker and currently works as a policy associate at the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine
where he directs projects related to child welfare, substance abuse, mental health and public policy. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of New England and serves as Co-Chair on the National Board of Advisors of Casey Family Services
. Brennan has also worked as an affordable housing developer and anti-nuclear activist.
Brennan represented part of Portland in the Maine House of Representatives
from 1992 to 2000—where he served as Chair of the Education Committee and of the Health and Human Services Committee – as well as the Maine Senate from 2002 to 2006 where he served as Senate Majority Leader.
He earned his BS in Education from Florida State University
, his MA in Public Policy from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine
, his MSW from the University of New England and has completed the Senior Executive Program in State and Local Government at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
.
He lives in Portland with his wife, Joan Martay. They have two grown children, Travis and Ryan.
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
politician. Brennan, a Democrat
Maine Democratic Party
The Maine Democratic Party is the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of Maine.-Current Democratic officeholders:The Maine Democratic Party is the minority party in both the Maine Senate and Maine House of Representatives. The party, however, holds both of the state's U.S...
, served as State Senator from 2002-2006 and Senate Majority Leader and a 2008 Democratic candidate 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 May 15, 2011 Brennan announced his candidacy in the Portland, Maine mayoral election
Portland, Maine mayoral election, 2011
The 2011 Portland, Maine mayoral election took place on November 8, 2011. In November 2010, Portland voters approved a citywide referendum changing the city charter to recreate an elected mayor position that had previously been removed in 1923. From 1923 until 2011, city councilors chose one of...
. On November 9, Brennan became the first directly-elected mayor in Portland since 1923 when he won the 15-candidate contest.
Michael is a licensed clinical social worker and currently works as a policy associate at the Muskie School of Public Service at 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...
where he directs projects related to child welfare, substance abuse, mental health and public policy. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of New England and serves as Co-Chair on the National Board of Advisors of Casey Family Services
Casey Family Programs
is the nation’s largest operating foundation entirely focused on foster care. Since 1966, they have worked to provide and improve—and ultimately prevent the need for—foster care in the United States...
. Brennan has also worked as an affordable housing developer and anti-nuclear activist.
Brennan represented part of Portland in 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...
from 1992 to 2000—where he served as Chair of the Education Committee and of the Health and Human Services Committee – as well as the Maine Senate from 2002 to 2006 where he served as Senate Majority Leader.
He earned his BS in Education from Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
, his MA in Public Policy from the Muskie School of Public Service at 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...
, his MSW from the University of New England and has completed the Senior Executive Program in State and Local Government at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
He lives in Portland with his wife, Joan Martay. They have two grown children, Travis and Ryan.
Electoral results
- 2008 Democratic Primary for Congress - 1st District
- Chellie PingreeChellie PingreeRochelle M. "Chellie" Pingree 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...
44% - Adam Cote 28%
- Michael Brennan 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%
- Chellie Pingree