{{Short description|American politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Jim Libby | state_senate = Maine | district = 22nd | term_start = December 7, 2022 | term_end = | predecessor = William Diamond | successor = | state_senate1 = Maine | district1 = 34th | term_start1 = December 4, 1996 | term_end1 = December 6, 2000 | predecessor1 = Willis Lord | successor1 = Michael McAlevey | office2 = Member of the Maine House of Representatives | term_start2 = December 7, 1994 | term_end2 = December 4, 1996 | predecessor2 = Charles C. Plourde | successor2 = John W. Vedral III | constituency2 = 14th district | term_start3 = December 2, 1992 | term_end3 = December 7, 1994 | predecessor3 = Merton C. Waterman | successor3 = Guy R. Nadeau | constituency3 = 16th district | birth_name = James Delmas Libby<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mainefirstproject.org/senators_cpt/james-delmas-libby/|title=James Delmas Libby}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|11|14}} | birth_place = Saco, Maine, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = Jennifer Peternel | education = Nasson College (BS)<br>St. Bonaventure University (MBA)<br>University of Maine (CAS, PhD) }} '''James D. Libby''' (born November 14, 1960)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/6666/james-libby|title=Vote Smart &#124; Facts For All|website=Vote Smart}}</ref> is an American politician, college professor and author from the state of Maine. A Republican, he served as a member the Maine House of Representatives from 1992 to 1996, then as a member of the Maine Senate from 1996 to 2000, before losing the 2002 Republican gubernatorial nomination to Peter Cianchette. Libby was the first candidate in the United States to qualify for a gubernatorial campaign as a "clean elections" candidate. He ran for the Maine House of Representatives in 2010, but lost the general election to the eventual Clerk of the Maine House of Representatives, Robert Hunt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=710222|title=OurCampaigns|website=www.ourcampaigns.com}}</ref>

He returned to the Maine Senate in 2022 to represent the 22nd district. The district includes parts of Cumberland, Oxford, and York counties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mesenategop.com/your-senators/senator-james-libby/|title=James Libby|date=November 9, 2022}}</ref> He was re-elected in 2024.

He was a candidate for Governor of Maine in the 2026 election, but dropped out of the race before the primary after failing to qualify for clean elections financing for his campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |last=St Pierre |first=Ariana |date=2025-05-22 |title=Sen. James Libby running for governor of Maine |url=https://wgme.com/news/local/sen-james-libby-running-for-governor-of-maine-republicans-democrats-shenna-bellows-troy-jackson-angus-king-iii-david-jones-janet-mills |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=WGME |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=Russ |date=2026-04-09 |title=Republican State Sen. Jim Libby to drop out of Maine governor's race |url=https://www.wmtw.com/article/maine-governor-race-jim-libby-drops-out-republican/70977411 |access-date=2026-04-09 |website=WMTW |language=en}}</ref>

Libby has authored several books and articles, including "Super U: The History and Politics of the University of Maine System, and "Buxton, A Postcard History."<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.thomas.edu/people/james-libby-ph-d |title=James Libby, Ph.D. |website=Thomas College}}</ref> He has been appointed to several board and commissions by Republican, Democrat, and Independent governors, including as a trustee of the Maine Community College System. He resides in Standish, Maine, with his wife, Jennifer (Peternel) Libby, daughter Grace, and son Brett.

==Committees== Libby currently serves on two committees: the committee on Education and Cultural Affairs,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Committees/EDU|title=Committee Information - Maine Legislature|website=legislature.maine.gov}}</ref> and the committee on Senate Conduct and Ethics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://legislature.maine.gov/district22|title=Sen. Jim Libby (R-Cumberland) &#124; Maine State Legislature|website=legislature.maine.gov}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{Maine State Senate |state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Libby, James}} Category:1960 births Category:21st-century members of the Maine Legislature Category:Living people Category:Candidates in the 2026 United States elections Category:Maine Republicans Category:Nasson College alumni Category:People from Standish, Maine Category:Republican Party Maine state senators Category:Republican Party members of the Maine House of Representatives Category:St. Bonaventure University alumni Category:University of Maine alumni

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