Mike Michaud

{{Short description|American politician (born 1955)}} {{Use American English|date=November 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Mike Michaud |image = Mike Michaud Official.jpg |caption = Official portrait, 2012 |office = Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee |term_start = December 3, 2012 |term_end = January 3, 2015 |predecessor = Bob Filner |successor = Corrine Brown |state1 = Maine |district1 = {{ushr|ME|2|2nd}} |term_start1 = January 3, 2003 |term_end1 = January 3, 2015 |predecessor1 = John Baldacci |successor1 = Bruce Poliquin |office2 = President of the Maine Senate |term_start2 = December 6, 2000 |term_end2 = December 6, 2001 |predecessor2 = Mark Lawrence |successor2 = Rick Bennett |state_senate3 = Maine |district3 = 3rd |term_start3 = December 7, 1994 |term_end3 = January 3, 2003 |predecessor3 = Margaret Ludwig |successor3 = Stephen Stanley |state_house4 = Maine |district4 = 134th |term_start4 = December 3, 1980 |term_end4 = December 7, 1994 |predecessor4 = Walter Birt |successor4 = Harry Bailey |birth_name = Michael Herman Michaud |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1955|1|18}} |birth_place = Millinocket, Maine, U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |party = Democratic |module = {{Listen |pos=center |embed=yes |filename=Rep. Mike Michaud Speaks in Support of H.R.3521, the Department of Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Lease Authorization Act of 2013.ogg |title=Michaud's voice |type=speech |description=Michaud on the Department of Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Lease Authorization Act of 2013.<br>Recorded December 10, 2013}} }} '''Michael Herman Michaud''' ({{IPAc-en|m|i:|ʃ|oː}} {{respell|mee|SHOW}};<ref>{{cite book|last1=Barone|first1=Michael|last2=Cohen|first2=Richard|title=The Almanac of American Politics, 2008|page=752|date=2007-11-01|publisher=National Journal|isbn=978-0892341177}}</ref> born January 18, 1955) is an American businessman and politician from Maine. Michaud served as the U.S. representative for {{ushr|ME|2}} from 2003 to 2015. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The primarily rural district comprises nearly 80% of the state by area and includes the cities of Lewiston, Auburn, Bangor, Presque Isle, and Ellsworth. It is the largest Congressional district by area east of the Mississippi River.

Michaud was previously President of the Maine Senate. He was employed for over two decades at the Great Northern Paper Company and remains a member of the United Steelworkers. He was one of the few members of Congress during his tenure who did not attend college.<ref name=wsj>{{cite news|title=Election 2012 - Mike Michaud (D) |url=http://projects.wsj.com/campaign2012/candidates/view/mike-michaud--ME-H |work=Wall Street Journal |year=2012 |access-date=2014-10-31}}</ref> He did, however, attend the John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University.<ref name=wsj/><ref name=bio>{{cite web |url=http://michaud.house.gov/about-mike/full-biography |title=Biography {{!}} Congressman Mike Michaud |publisher=Michaud.house.gov |date=2007-01-12 |access-date=2014-10-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030221537/https://michaud.house.gov/about-mike/full-biography |archive-date=2014-10-30 }}</ref> He has also been awarded honorary Doctor of Public Service degrees from Maine's Unity College, Husson College, and Maine Maritime Academy.<ref name=wsj/><ref name=bio/>

Michaud, who speaks a little French, is the first openly Franco-American to be elected to a U.S. federal office from Maine.<ref name=wsj/><ref name=nytimes>{{cite news|first=Pam|last=Belluck |title=Long-Scorned in Maine, French Has Renaissance |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/us/04french.html?pagewanted=all |work=New York Times |date=2006-06-04 |access-date=2013-07-11}}</ref><ref name=bdn/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.centralmaine.com/2014/07/05/the-early-years-of-mike-michaud/|title=The early years of Mike Michaud|last1=R|last2=BillingsPortl|first2=y|date=2014-07-06|website=Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel|access-date=2019-07-10|last3=Herald|first3=Press}}</ref> He was elected as a co-chair of the congressional French Caucus in January 2011.<ref name=bdn>{{cite news|title=Michaud to co-chair French caucus |url=https://bangordailynews.com/2011/01/06/politics/michaud-to-co-chair-french-caucus/ |agency=Associated Press |work=Bangor Daily News |date=2011-01-06 |access-date=2013-07-11}}</ref> He came out as gay in 2013, becoming one of the few openly LGBT members of Congress and the first to reside in Maine.

Michaud was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Maine in the 2014 election.<ref name=officialentry>{{cite news|url=http://www.pressherald.com/politics/maine-election-2014-governor-steve-woods.html|title=Senate campaign over, Steve Woods is running for governor|date=November 16, 2012|access-date=November 17, 2012|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Portland Press Herald}}</ref> While initially considered a favorite by some analysts on account of the general unpopularity of incumbent Paul LePage, he lost by a margin larger than expected. He currently holds a seat on the East Millinocket Board of Selectmen.

==Early life== Michaud was born in Millinocket, Maine, the son of Geneva Jean (née Morrow) and James Michaud, Sr. His parents were both of French-Canadian descent.<ref>{{cite web|author=Juliana L'Heureux |url=http://www.mainewriter.com/articles/Political-Genealogy.htm |title=Political Genealogy |publisher=Mainewriter.com |date=1927-01-07 |access-date=2013-12-05}}</ref> He grew up in Medway, Maine, and is a graduate of Schenck High School in East Millinocket.

== Early career == He was a mill worker and supervisor at Great Northern Paper Company in East Millinocket, from 1973 until his election to Congress in 2002, during which time he was a member of the United Steelworkers. Michaud's interest in politics began when he campaigned to clean up the Penobscot River in the late 1970s.

===Maine House of Representatives (1980–1994)===

====Elections==== Michaud was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 1980 to the 134th district. In 1984, he defeated an independent candidate by a landslide, despite large Republican gains in other districts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ixA9AAAAIBAJ&sjid=TC4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4827,3205044&dq=mike+michaud&hl=en|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615222200/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ixA9AAAAIBAJ&sjid=TC4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4827,3205044&dq=mike+michaud&hl=en|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-06-15|title=Bangor Daily News - Google News Archive Search|date=2013-06-15|work=archive.is|access-date=2018-08-13}}</ref> He also won re-election in 1986, 1988, 1990, and 1992.

====Tenure==== Michaud served eleven terms in the Maine Legislature, including seven in the Maine House of Representatives and four in the Maine Senate. In the House, Michaud represented Medway and East Millinocket.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=e9E8AAAAIBAJ&sjid=PC4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2570,5697972&dq=mike+michaud&hl=en|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615222128/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=e9E8AAAAIBAJ&sjid=PC4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2570,5697972&dq=mike+michaud&hl=en|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-06-15|title=Bangor Daily News - Google News Archive Search|date=2013-06-15|work=archive.is|access-date=2018-08-13}}</ref>

As Chair of the Energy Committee, he helped to increase the cost of dumping.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aqhJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Lw4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1419,4532767&dq=michael+michaud&hl=en|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615222158/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aqhJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Lw4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1419,4532767&dq=michael+michaud&hl=en|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-06-15|title=Bangor Daily News - Google News Archive Search|date=2013-06-15|work=archive.is|access-date=2018-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vbBJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rw4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=3271,3007682&dq=michael+michaud&hl=en |title=Welcome to nginx |website=news.google.com |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616033030/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vbBJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rw4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=3271,3007682&dq=michael+michaud&hl=en |archive-date=16 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Committee assignments==== * Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Chair)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/Michael-Michaud.html |title=Maine Senate {{!}} Maine State Senate |publisher=Maine.gov |date=2013-08-29 |access-date=2013-11-02}}</ref>

===Maine Senate (1994–2003)===

====Elections==== In 1994, he ran for Maine's 3rd Senate district. Despite the fact that it was a typical backlash year with one party taking the lead, he defeated incumbent State Senator Margaret Ludwig, a millionaire, 58%-42%.<ref>[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=744339] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103203714/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=744339|date=November 3, 2013}}</ref> In 1996, he won re-election to a second term with 64% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=744399 |title=ME State Senate 03 Race - Nov 05, 1996 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2013-11-02}}</ref> In 1998, he won re-election to a third term with 77% of the vote.<ref name="ourcampaigns.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=744455 |title=ME State Senate 03 Race - Nov 03, 1998 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2013-11-02}}</ref> In 2000, he won re-election to a fourth term with 69% of the vote.<ref name="ourcampaigns.com"/>

====Tenure==== During his years in the state legislature, he continued to work at the Great Northern Paper Company until his election to Congress. To accommodate his legislative schedule, he changed his factory shifts, for instance by working weekends.<ref>{{cite news|title=Michael Michaud (D-Maine) |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/michael-michaud-d-maine/gIQAwuCLAP_topic.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311122132/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/michael-michaud-d-maine/gIQAwuCLAP_topic.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 March 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=23 June 2012}}</ref>

From 1994 to 1996, Michaud was appointed to Governor Angus King's Productivity Realization Task Force. In 1997, he was appointed to the Maine Commission on Children's Health Care. After the 1998 election, the Maine Senate found itself divided into 17 Republicans, 17 Democrats and one Independent. In a compromise organization, each party agreed to assume the Senate Presidency for one year, with the single Independent awarded the chair of the crucial Appropriations Committee. Accordingly, in December 2000, Michaud was unanimously elected President of the Maine Senate.

In 2001, Mike was honored with the dedication of the Michael H. Michaud Technology Center for helping to secure state funding for the University of Maine at Presque Isle Houlton Higher Education Center. He also received the College Board's Education Award at the National Council of State Legislatures annual meeting.<ref name=bio/>

====Committee assignments==== * Joint Appropriations Committee (Chair)

==U.S. House of Representatives==

===Elections=== [[File:mike michaud.jpg|thumb|left|Michaud during the 109th Congress]] ;2002 Michaud ran for Congress in 2002 for Maine's 2nd congressional district after incumbent Democrat John Baldacci decided to run for Governor of Maine. Michaud faced three other state senators in the Democratic primary. He won the primary with a plurality of 31% of the vote, beating the second place challenger, Susan W. Longley, by 4 percentage points. The general election garnered considerable publicity because Michaud was anti-abortion, while the Republican was pro-abortion rights. Republican Kevin Raye, of Perry, was the Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe. Michaud defeated Raye, 52%–48%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=866 |title=ME District 2 Race - Nov 05, 2002 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2013-11-02}}</ref>

;2004 Michaud won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican businessman Brian Hamel, 58%–39%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=4164 |title=ME - District 02 Race - Nov 02, 2004 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2013-11-02}}</ref>

;2006 {{See also|2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 2}} Michaud won re-election to a third term, defeating Republican Lisbon Town Selectman Laurence Scott D'Amboise, 71%–29%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=206946 |title=ME - District 02 Race - Nov 07, 2006 |publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=2013-11-02}}</ref>

;2008 {{See also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 2}} Michaud won re-election to a fourth term, defeating his Republican opponent, professor John Frary 67%-33%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=382796 |title=ME - District 02 Race - Nov 04, 2008 |publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=2013-11-02}}</ref>

;2010 {{See also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 2}} Michaud won re-election to a fifth term, defeating Republican business owner and U.S. Army veteran Jason Levesque, 55%–45%. He won every county in the district, except Piscataquis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=490754 |title=ME - District 02 Race - Nov 02, 2010 |publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=2013-11-02}}</ref>

;2012 {{See also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 2}} Michaud won re-election to a sixth term, defeating Republican State Senator and Maine Senate President Kevin Raye (who had run ten years earlier), 58%–42%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=705007 |title=ME - District 02 Race - Nov 06, 2012 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2013-11-02}}</ref> He won every county except Washington, the location of Raye's hometown of Perry.

===Tenure=== Michaud was the only freshman Democratic member of Congress to vote for the 2003 ban on intact dilation and extraction (IDX), often called partial-birth abortion.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} However, Michaud's stance on abortion and related reproductive issues has changed since he entered office.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} When he was elected in 2003, he received a 10% rating by the NARAL Pro Choice America, a reflection of anti-abortion votes; between 2010 and 2013, the same organization gave Michaud a 100% rating.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-03-26|title=STATEMENT: Maine Rep. Michael Michaud's Evolution on Choice Earns NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC Endorsement|url=https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/2014/03/26/statement-maine-rep-michael-michauds-evolution-choice-earns-naral-pro-choice-america-pac-endorsement/|access-date=2020-10-26|website=NARAL Pro-Choice America|language=en-US|archive-date=June 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603050402/https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/2014/03/26/statement-maine-rep-michael-michauds-evolution-choice-earns-naral-pro-choice-america-pac-endorsement/|url-status=dead}}</ref> This change is likely in part because of the votes Michaud made in favor of allowing and expanding stem cell research, and his vote against banning abortion from federal health care coverage.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}}

Michaud has been an advocate for veterans for as long as he has served in Congress. As Chairman of the Health Subcommittee of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Michaud has advocated for more extensive healthcare benefits for veterans and also for more inclusive rural healthcare for veterans.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} In 2007, Michaud came close to being elected Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} He has also called for lowering the cost of prescription drugs.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} In addition, Michaud has worked to pass legislation providing scholarships for returning soldiers, and decreasing the rate of homelessness among veterans.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} Recently, Michaud became an original cosponsor of "Hiring our Veterans Act" which gives tax credits to employers who hire veterans.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} Michaud has worked with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs on many projects.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} These include a scholarship foundation for children of soldiers killed in active duty, an expansion of VA care in rural Maine, and a major increase in VA funding.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}}

On May 29, 2014, Michaud called for the resignation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki in response to problems in the Veterans Health Administration regarding long wait times and coverups of poor performance.<ref name=KennebecJournal>{{cite news |title =U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud calls for VA chief to resign| publisher = Kennebec Journal | date = 2014-05-30 | url = http://www.kjonline.com/politics/U_S__Rep__Michaud_of_Maine_calls_for_VA_chief_to_resign_.html | access-date = 2014-05-30}}</ref> He had faced criticism on this issue from his opponents in the Governor's race.<ref name=KennebecJournal/>

In addition to veterans' health, Michaud has been supporting healthcare on a larger scale.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} He has voted in favor of increased health coverage for children, and voted against cuts to Medicare.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} In 2010, he received a 100% rating from the American Public Health Association, along with favorable ratings from other healthcare groups.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} Michaud joined a group of 44 congressmen in November 2011 to express the importance of men's being screened for prostate cancer.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} This bipartisan group was formed after the United States Preventive Task Force recommended that healthy men should not have such a screening.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}}

Michaud is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}} He was the only Congressperson from New England in the coalition. On October 19, 2007, he endorsed former Senator John Edwards for president.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}}

Michaud has a strong record of voting in support of environmental issues.<ref name=ontheissues>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/house/Michael_Michaud_Energy_+_Oil.htm | title = Michael Michaud on Energy & Oil | publisher = OnTheIssues.org | access-date = 2014-10-31}}</ref> He voted no on opening Outer Continental Shelf to oil drilling, on barring the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases, on scheduling permitting for new oil refineries, on authorizing construction of new oil refineries, on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy, and on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy.<ref name=ontheissues/> Michaud voted yes on enforcing limits on {{CO2}} global warming pollution by requiring utilities to supply an increasing percentage of their demand from a combination of energy efficiency savings and renewable energy, on tax credits for renewable electricity with PAYGO offsets, on tax incentives for energy production and conservation, on tax incentives for renewable energy, on investing in homegrown biofuel, on criminalizing oil cartels like OPEC, on removing oil and gas exploration subsidies, and on keeping moratorium on offshore oil drilling.<ref name=ontheissues/> Furthermore, Michaud co-sponsored a bill in 2005 to establish greenhouse gas tradeable allowances; the bill was referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee but, however, it never came to vote.<ref name=ontheissues/> He also co-sponsored a bill in 2008 to allow states to define stricter greenhouse gas emission standards than those specified by the federal Clean Air Act.<ref name=ontheissues/> In keeping with his voting record, Michaud adopted a Blue Dog Coalition press release to balance fossil fuels and viable renewable energy.<ref name=ontheissues/> Campaign for America's Future (CAF) has given Michaud a score of 100% on energy issues.<ref name=ontheissues/>

Michaud was briefly mentioned in Maine native author Stephen King's work, ''11/22/63''.

===Committee assignments=== * Committee on Veterans' Affairs ** Subcommittee on Health (Ranking member) * Committee on Small Business ** Subcommittee on Finance and Tax ** Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship * Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure ** Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management ** Subcommittee on Highways and Transit ** Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials

===Caucus memberships=== * Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus * Congressional Biomass Caucus * Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine * Congressional Nursing Caucus * International Conservation Caucus * Renewable Energy Caucus * Sudan Caucus * Congressional Cement Caucus

==2014 gubernatorial campaign== {{Main|2014 Maine gubernatorial election}} On June 13, 2013, Michaud announced that he was forming an exploratory committee to enter the 2014 race for Governor of Maine. His campaign announced on August 14 that he would officially enter the race the next day.<ref name=officialentry /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pressherald.com/politics/maine-election-2014-governor-steve-woods.html|title=Senate campaign over, Steve Woods is running for governor|date=November 16, 2012|access-date=November 17, 2012|agency=Associated Press|work=Portland Press Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://editions.lib.umn.edu/smartpolitics/2013/06/17/michaud-gearing-to-battle-cutl/ |title= Michaud Gearing Up to Battle Cutler, History in Maine Gubernatorial Bid |work=Smart Politics |first=Eric |last=Ostermeier |date= June 17, 2013}}</ref>

Michaud won the Democratic primary unopposed. He lost the general election to incumbent Republican Paul LePage by a larger than expected margin, in part due to the unknown popularity of LePage, an alleged massive Republican wave that took place nationwide, and a third-party candidate splitting votes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pressherald.com/2014/12/24/runner-up-for-governor-mike-michaud-reflects-on-loss-strategy-eliot-cutler/|title=Mike Michaud reflects on loss, strategy, Eliot Cutler|date=December 24, 2014|access-date=April 23, 2016|publisher=Portland Press Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/11/the-midterm-elections-spoilers/382475/|title=The Midterm Elections (Spoilers)|date=November 7, 2014|access-date=April 23, 2016|agency=The Atlantic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/28/us/politics/3rd-party-names-may-tip-scale-as-2-parties-battle-for-control-.html|title=Long Shots Loom as Spoilers in Tight November Races Across Nation|date=September 27, 2014|access-date=April 23, 2016|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wmtw.com/politics/cutler-frees-supporters-to-vote-for-other-candidates-not-dropping-out/29403904|title=Cutler frees supporters to vote for other candidates, not dropping out|date=October 29, 2014|access-date=April 23, 2016|publisher=WMTW}}</ref>

He was succeeded in Congress by Republican Bruce Poliquin in January 2015.

==Post-election activities== The United States Department of Labor announced on July 30, 2015, that President Barack Obama nominated Michaud to a department position dealing with training and employment of veterans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bangordailynews.com/2015/07/30/politics/obama-taps-mike-michaud-for-veterans-employment-post/ |title=Obama taps Mike Michaud for veterans employment post |work=Bangor Daily News |first=Darren|last=Fischell |date= July 30, 2015}}</ref>

Michaud served as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training from December 2, 2015, to January 20, 2017. As the head of the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), Michaud reported to Secretary of Labor Tom Perez. VETS serves as the focal point in the federal government for veterans' employment by preparing military service members for transition to civilian employment, providing veterans with services to assist them in getting good jobs, protecting veterans' employment rights, and promoting veterans' employment in the private sector.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://docs.house.gov/meetings/VR/VR10/20160615/105022/HHRG-114-VR10-Bio-MichaudM-20160615.pdf |title=Michaud U.S. House Nomination Biography |work=US House of Representatives |date= December 2, 2015}}</ref>

In 2018, he was elected to the Board of Selectmen in East Millinocket, his hometown.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/voice-of-the-voter/from-the-halls-of-congress-to-town-hall-mike-michaud-returns-to-public-office/97-612212193|title=From the halls of Congress to town hall, Mike Michaud returns to public office|work=WCSH|author=Beth McEvoy|date=November 7, 2018|access-date=11 November 2018}}</ref>

On March 28, 2019, Michaud was nominated by Gov. Janet Mills to serve as a trustee on both the board of the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-nominates-candidates-university-maine-system-and-maine-community-college-system|title=Governor Mills Nominates Candidates for University of Maine System and Maine Community College System Boards of Trustees |work=Office of Gov. Janet Mills |date= March 28, 2019}}</ref>

Michaud endorsed Michael Bloomberg as a nominee for President of the United States in the 2020 Maine Democratic primary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/former-maine-congressman-mike-michaud-endorses-mike-bloomberg/97-5a7ebefe-ee6a-42a4-a25a-c019fd7c1c2a|title=Former Maine Congressman Mike Michaud did not choose as his initial Presidential endorsement Democratic Presidential winner Joe Biden but instead endorsed Mike Bloomberg for president. going out of party. |work=WCSH TV |date= January 23, 2020}}</ref>

==Personal life== Michaud came out as gay in an editorial released to the ''Portland Press Herald'', ''Bangor Daily News'', and the Associated Press on November 4, 2013; however he stated that he has never had a romantic partner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2013/11/04/politics/michaud-i-havent-changed-im-mike/?ref=relatedBox|title=Michaud: 'I haven't changed. I'm Mike.'|work=The Bangor Daily News|date=4 November 2013 |access-date=11 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/Mike_Michaud__Yes__I_m_gay__Now_let_s_get_our_state_back_on_track_.html|title=Yes, I'm gay, Michaud says. Now let's get our state back on track|date=November 4, 2013|publisher=Portland Press Herald}}</ref> He is the first openly LGBT congressman to serve the state of Maine; he was one of seven then-current United States representatives to be openly LGBT, and one of eight in either house of Congress. If he had been elected governor, he would have become the first openly gay governor in the United States at the time of his election (Jim McGreevey of New Jersey came out after he had taken office). Michaud served as a grand marshal for the 2014 Portland Pride Parade on June 21.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.centralmaine.com/2014/06/21/michaud-leading-portland-pride-parade/|title=Michaud leading Portland Pride Parade|date=June 21, 2014|publisher=Kennebec Journal/Maine Today Media}}</ref>

==Electoral history== {| class=wikitable |- ! Year ! Office ! Election ! ! Democratic ! Party ! Votes ! % ! ! Republican ! Party ! Votes ! % ! ! Other ! Party ! Votes ! % |- | 2002 | {{ushr|Maine|2|}} | General || | {{party shading/Democratic}} |'''Mike Michaud''' | {{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic | {{party shading/Democratic}} |116,868 | {{party shading/Democratic}} |52.01% || | {{party shading/Republican}} |Kevin Raye | {{party shading/Republican}} |Republican | {{party shading/Republican}} |107,849 | {{party shading/Republican}} |47.99% || | | | | |- | 2004 | {{ushr|Maine|2|}} |General || | {{party shading/Democratic}} |'''Mike Michaud''' | {{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic | {{party shading/Democratic}} |199,303 | {{party shading/Democratic}} |58.03% || | {{party shading/Republican}} |Brian Hamel | {{party shading/Republican}} |Republican | {{party shading/Republican}} |135,547 | {{party shading/Republican}} |39.47% || | style="background:#f9f;"|Carl Cooley | style="background:#f9f;"|Independent<ref>Cooley represented the Socialist Equality Party</ref> | style="background:#f9f;"|8,586 | style="background:#f9f;"|2.50 |- | 2006<ref>{{cite web|title=ME - District 2 Race - Nov 07, 2006|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=206946|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref> | {{ushr|Maine|2|}} |General || | {{party shading/Democratic}} |'''Mike Michaud''' | {{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic | {{party shading/Democratic}} |179,732 | {{party shading/Democratic}} |70.52% || | {{party shading/Republican}} |Laurence D'Amboise | {{party shading/Republican}} |Republican | {{party shading/Republican}} |75,146 | {{party shading/Republican}} |29.48% || | | | | |- | 2008<ref>{{cite web|title=ME - District 2 Race- Nov 04, 2008|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=382796|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref> | {{ushr|Maine|2|}} |General || | {{party shading/Democratic}} |'''Mike Michaud''' | {{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic | {{party shading/Democratic}} |226,274 | {{party shading/Democratic}} |67.44% || | {{party shading/Republican}} |John Frary | {{party shading/Republican}} |Republican | {{party shading/Republican}} |109,268 | {{party shading/Republican}} |32.57% || | | | | |- | 2010<ref>{{cite web|title=ME - District 2 Race- Nov 02, 2010|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=490754|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref> | {{ushr|Maine|2|}} |General || | {{party shading/Democratic}} |'''Mike Michaud''' | {{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic | {{party shading/Democratic}} |147,042 | {{party shading/Democratic}} |55.13% || | {{party shading/Republican}} |Jason Levesque | {{party shading/Republican}} |Republican | {{party shading/Republican}} |119,669 | {{party shading/Republican}} |44.87% || | | | | |- | 2012<ref>{{cite web|title=ME - District 2 Race - Nov 06, 2012|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=705007|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref> | {{ushr|Maine|2|}} |General || | {{party shading/Democratic}} |'''Mike Michaud''' | {{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic | {{party shading/Democratic}} |191,456 | {{party shading/Democratic}} |58.19% || | {{party shading/Republican}} |Kevin Raye | {{party shading/Republican}} |Republican | {{party shading/Republican}} |137,542 | {{party shading/Republican}} |41.81% || | | | | |- | 2014<ref>{{cite web|title=ME - Governor - Nov 04, 2014|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=738434|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=3 February 2015}}</ref> | Governor of Maine |General || | {{party shading/Democratic}} |Mike Michaud | {{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic | {{party shading/Democratic}} |265,125 | {{party shading/Democratic}} |43.37% || | {{party shading/Republican}} |'''Paul LePage''' | {{party shading/Republican}} |Republican | {{party shading/Republican}} |294,553 | {{party shading/Republican}} |48.19% || | style="background:#ff6;"|Eliot Cutler | style="background:#ff6;"|Independent | style="background:#ff6;"|51,518 | style="background:#ff6;"|8.43% |}

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== * {{CongLinks | congbio=m001149 | votesmart=6582 | fec=H2ME02097 | congress=michael-michaud/1730 }} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929155304/http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Mike_Michaud Profile] at SourceWatch * [http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/Michael-Michaud.html Past President] of the Maine Senate *{{C-SPAN|1003591}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Michaud, Mike}} Category:1955 births Category:20th-century members of the Maine Legislature Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people Category:21st-century members of the Maine Legislature Category:21st-century United States representatives Category:American gay politicians Category:American people of French-Canadian descent Category:Democratic Party Maine state senators Category:Democratic Party members of the Maine House of Representatives Category:Democratic Party United States representatives from Maine Category:LGBTQ members of the United States Congress Category:LGBTQ state legislators in Maine Category:Living people Category:Millwrights Category:People from Millinocket, Maine Category:Presidents of the Maine Senate Category:Massachusetts select board members Category:LGBTQ liberals