Alexander Willette

Alexander R. Willette
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
from the 7th district
In office
December 2010 – September 4, 2014 (resigned)
Preceded by Patricia Sutherland (D-Chapman; District 7)[1]
Succeeded by Dustin Michael White (R-Washburn; District 146)[2]
Personal details
Born (1989-04-02) April 2, 1989
Presque Isle, Maine
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Melissa Lacroix
Residence Mapleton, Maine
Alma mater University of Maine at Farmington
Profession Real estate broker

Alexander Reginald Willette (born April 2, 1989) is an American politician from Maine.[3] In 2010, the Republican Willette was elected to represent District 7 in the Maine House of Representatives, covering much of central Aroostook County including part of the city of Presque Isle. He served as the Assistant Republican Leader, and, during his time in the Legislature, was both the youngest member of legislative leadership in Maine's history and the youngest in the United States.

Early life and education

He was born in Presque Isle, Maine and lives Mapleton, Maine. A graduate of Presque Isle High School, Willette earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Maine at Farmington in May 2011. He is a J.D. candidate at the University of Maine School of Law.[4]

Career

Maine House of Representatives

Elections

In 2010, he decided to run for Maine's 7th House district based in Aroostook County. He was the Republican nominee and defeated Democrat nominee Troy Haines 54%-46%. He became the youngest person to ever win an election for the Maine House of Representatives.[5] In 2012, he won re-election to a second term, defeating Haines again, 52%-48%.[6]

Tenure

The district includes 10 towns: Castle Hill, Chapman, Hammond, Littleton, Mapleton, Masardis, Monticello, Wade, Washburn, and Oxbow. In addition, it also includes part of the city of Presque isle and unorganized territory of Central Aroostook.

He was also the House Chairman of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council for the 125th Legislature. In the next session, he was elected as Assistant Minority Leader of the House GOP leadership.

In his first term in the Maine House, he sponsored a resolution which passed raising the speed limit on I-95 between Houlton, Maine and Old Town, Maine.[7]

He resigned his seat on September 4, 2014, stating that his work on Governor Paul LePage's reelection campaign has rendered him unable to adequately represent his district. [8]

Committee assignments

2014 congressional election

On July 1, 2013, Willette announced he would run for the open Maine's 2nd congressional district seat, after incumbent congressman Mike Michaud announced he would run for governor,[10][11] though he suspended his campaign on August 28, 2013.[12]

State of Maine

Willette as spokesman for the Department of Administrative and Financial Services addressed a string of cyber attacks in the state in late March 2015.[13]

Personal life

Willette is married to Melissa Willette and they live in Mapleton. He is a Master Mason with the Trinity lodge. He is an Eagle Scout with Troop 170 in Mapleton and 171 in Presque Isle.[14]

His father, Michael Willette, served in the Maine House of Representatives from 2008-2012, representing District 5 in Presque Isle.

References

  1. ↑ Patricia Sutherland bio, maine.gov. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  2. ↑ Dustin Michael White bio, maine.gov. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  3. ↑ "Representative Alexander Willette Political Summary - Project Vote Smart". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  4. ↑ Meet Rep. Alex Willette Maine.gov
  5. ↑ "ME State House 007 Race". Our Campaigns. November 2, 2010. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  6. ↑ "ME State House 007 Race". Our Campaigns. November 6, 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  7. ↑ Summary of LD 1557 MaineLegislature.org
  8. ↑ "Assistant House Republican leader resigns from seat after taking job with LePage campaign". Bangor Daily News. September 4, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Alexander Willette". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  10. ↑ "GOP leader Alexander Willette, 24, says he is a candidate for Maine's 2nd Congressional District". Bangor Daily News. July 1, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  11. ↑ Cousins, Christopher (June 13, 2013). "Congressional wannabes begin lining up in 2nd District". Bangor Daily News.
  12. ↑ "Republican Willette ends bid to replace Michaud in Congress". Kennebec Journal. August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Cyber attack knocks out maine.gov again — hacker group claims responsibility", Bangor Daily News, March 24, 2015. Retrieved 2015-03-26. Link provided to: "For Media, Freedom of Access Act ('FOAA') and Legislative Inquires contact: Alexander Willette, Director of Legislative ...". Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  14. ↑ Alexander Reginald Willette bio Maine.gov
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