Michael Thibodeau

In 2006, Thibodeau defeated Winterport Charter Commissioner Donna Gilbert after Rep. Jeffrey Kaelin withdrew. He ran as a Clean Elections candidate.{{cite web|url=http://www.followthemoney.org/database/uniquecandidate.phtml?uc=8430|title=Follow the Money|accessdate=21 October 2011}}

In 2008, Thibodeau, running as an incumbent, was narrowly re-elected over Seth Yentes after spending nearly $10,000 of his own money and over $13,000 overall on his re-election campaign.

An outspoken critic of same-sex marriage in Maine, Thibodeau voted against a 2009 bill to legalize it, saying "Let’s be honest. This isn’t about civil rights. It’s about a social agenda that tears at the very fabric of our society".{{cite news|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2009/05/05/politics/maine-house-passes-gay-marriage-bill/|title=Maine House passes gay marriage bill|last=Harrison|first=Judy|date=May 5, 2009|work=Bangor Daily News|accessdate=21 October 2011}}

In 2010, Thibodeau sought District 23 in the Maine Senate, where he sought to replace fellow Republican Carol Weston. Running as a clean elections candidate, defeated fellow state representative and former House Majority Leader John Piotti with 54% of the vote in the two-way race.{{cite news|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2010/11/04/politics/waldo-county-voters-sought-change/|title=Waldo County voters sought change|last=Curtis|first=Abigail|date=November 4, 2010|work=Bangor Daily News|accessdate=21 October 2011}}

In 2012, he successfully sought re-election. Following the election, which featured Republicans losing control of both the state senate and house of representatives, Thibodeau was named Republican minority leader of the Maine Senate.{{cite news|url=http://www.mpbn.net/News/MPBNNews/tabid/1159/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3799/ItemId/24623/Default.aspx|title=Maine Senators-Elect Pick Floor Leaders|publisher=Maine Public Broadcasting Network|accessdate=10 November 2012}}

Thibodeau announced on December 3, 2013, that he was considering entering the 2014 Second District congressional race.{{cite web|last=Cousins |first=Christopher |url=http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2013/12/03/thibodeau-considering-run-for-2nd-congressional-district-seat/#.Up6hqid40m4|title=Thibodeau considering run for 2nd Congressional District seat|publisher=Bangordailynews.com |date=2013-12-03 |accessdate=2013-12-03}}

Upon his party obtaining the majority in the November 4, 2014 legislative elections, Thibodeau was chosen to be Senate President when the new legislative session begins on December 3, 2014.{{cite web|last=Moretto |first=Mario |url=http://bangordailynews.com/2014/11/07/politics/state-house/republican-lawmakers-install-mike-thibodeau-as-senate-president/|title=Republican lawmakers pick Thibodeau for Senate president, restore Fredette as House leader|publisher=Bangordailynews.com |date=2014-11-07 |accessdate=2014-11-07}}

Thibodeau was reelected Senate President after his party held their majority, albeit a two-seat loss to the Democrats.{{cite web|url=http://m.argus-press.com/mobile/news/state_news/article_caf0bbc2-3f91-5cab-b174-4f92ec3616c7.html|title=Maine Democrats, GOP pick new Senate leaders|work=Argus-Press|date=November 15, 2016|accessdate=December 10, 2016}}

On October 17, 2017, Thibodeau announced his run for the 2018 Maine gubernatorial election.{{cite web|url=https://bangordailynews.com/2017/10/17/news/senate-president-mike-thibodeau-jumps-into-2018-race-for-governor/|title=Maine Senate President Mike Thibodeau jumps into 2018 race for governor|work=Bangordailynews.com|date=October 17, 2017|accessdate=October 17, 2017}}

On March 26, 2018, it was announced that Thibodeau had withdrawn from the 2018 Maine Gubernatorial Election.{{cite web |last1=Shepherd |first1=Michael |title=Maine Senate President Mike Thibodeau quits GOP race to succeed LePage |url=https://bangordailynews.com/2018/03/26/politics/maine-senate-president-mike-thibodeau-quits-gop-race-to-succeed-lepage/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115190756/https://bangordailynews.com/2018/03/26/politics/maine-senate-president-mike-thibodeau-quits-gop-race-to-succeed-lepage/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 November 2018 |website=Bangor Daily News |accessdate=15 November 2018}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-me-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Jeffrey H. Kaelin}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Maine House of Representatives
from the 42nd district|years=2006–2010}}

{{s-aft|after=Peter B. Rioux}}

|-

{{s-par|us-me-sen}}

{{s-bef|before=Carol Weston}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Maine Senate
from the 23rd district|years=2010–2014}}

{{s-aft|after=Linda Baker}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Richard G. Woodbury}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Maine Senate
from the 11th district|years=2014–2018}}

{{s-aft|after=Erin Herbig}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Barry Hobbins}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the Maine Senate|years=2012–2014}}

{{s-aft|after=Justin Alfond}}

|-

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=Justin Alfond}}

{{s-ttl|title=President of the Maine Senate|years=2014–2018}}

{{s-aft|after=Troy Jackson}}

{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thibodeau, Michael}}

Category:1966 births

Category:Businesspeople from Maine

Category:Living people

Category:Republican Party members of the Maine House of Representatives

Category:Minority leaders of the Maine Senate

Category:People from Winterport, Maine

Category:Hampden Academy alumni

Category:21st-century members of the Maine Legislature

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