Diane Russell | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Maine House of Representatives for the 120th District | |
| In office December 3, 2008 – December 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Anne Rand |
| Succeeded by | Michael Sylvester |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 9, 1976 Bryant Pond, Maine, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Portland, Maine |
| Alma mater | University of Southern Maine |
| Profession | Public relations consultant |
Diane Marie Russell (born August 9, 1976) is an American politician who served in the Maine House of Representatives. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Political career
When Russell first ran for the State House in 2008, she was working as a cashier at a local convenience store. [1] She served on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee and the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. [2] [3]
In 2011, The Nation magazine named her "Most Valuable State Representative" on its annual Progressive Honor Roll. [4]
In 2011, Russell introduced a bill to legalize marijuana in Maine. The bill, LD 1453, was voted down in committee (3-8) in March [5] and down by the House of Representatives in June. [6] After being re-elected in 2012, Russell introduced a similar bill to legalize marijuana in 2013. It was co-sponsored by Republican Rep. Aaron Libby. [7] [8]
In November 2012, Russell unsuccessfully sought the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives position, losing in a Democratic Party caucus vote to Mark Eves of York County. [9]
In 2016, Russell, who was barred by Maine's term limits law from running again for a House seat, ran for a seat in the Maine Senate, and lost in the Democratic primary election, coming in third among the three candidates. [10]
On August 10, 2017, Russell announced her campaign for Governor of Maine in the 2018 race. [11] She finished sixth of seven candidates on the ballot with 2.2%.
Personal life
Russell is a native of Woodstock, Maine, and is a graduate of Leavitt Area High School. [12] She received a B.A. in media studies from the University of Southern Maine. [12] She has also worked as a public relations consultant. [12]
References
- ^ "From Behind the Counter: A Different View of the 47%". huffingtonpost.com. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ "Representative Diane Marie Russell's Biography". votesmart.org. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ "Diane Russell". maine.gov. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ "The Progressive Honor Roll of 2011". thenation.com. 2011-12-22. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ Haskell, Meg (March 14, 2011). "Lawmakers vote down marijuana legalization but ease access to medical pot". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
- ^ Miller, Kevin (June 14, 2011). "House votes against fully legalizing pot". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ Cousins, Christopher (February 21, 2013). "Democratic and Republican legislators unite on bill to legalize and tax marijuana". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ Byrne, Matt; Hoey, Dennis (2012-11-14). "Maine lawmaker seeks to legalize marijuana". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ Carkhuff, David (November 14, 2012). "Russell vies for Speaker of the House post; Alfond tapped in Senate". Portland Daily Sun. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- ^ "Ben Chipman wins hard-fought Democratic Senate primary in Portland". Portland Press Herald. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- ^ Cousins, Christopher; Staff, B. D. N. "Former state representative launches Democratic bid for Maine governor". The Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
- ^ a b c "Diane Russell". emergemaine.org. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
External links
- 1976 births
- Living people
- American public relations people
- Democratic Party members of the Maine House of Representatives
- Politicians from Portland, Maine
- University of Southern Maine alumni
- Women state legislators in Maine
- 21st-century American legislators
- 21st-century American women politicians
- People from Woodstock, Maine