Media Relations Manager
Justin Chenette made history when, at just 21 years old, he became Maine's youngest lawmaker and the nation’s youngest openly gay legislator. He was sworn into office a week before graduating from college.
He served a total of 8 years between the State Senate and the House of Representatives. Justin’s public service career began in high school at age 17 when Maine’s governor appointed him to serve on the State Board of Education, making history as the first student member.
Justin founded the Maine Democracy Project and authored a children’s book to promote civics education to the next generation.
In the Legislature, he chaired the bipartisan Government Oversight Committee and co-chaired the Democracy Reform Caucus, working to pass successful legislation that reformed campaign finance laws, strengthened ethics, and expanded Ranked Choice Voting.
Justin got his start in journalism as a TV anchor/reporter, producer and columnist for various media outlets throughout New England including hosting a statewide public affairs TV show called Youth in Politics. He also served on the Society of Professional Journalists National Diversity Committee.
In college, he was a national delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention and a congressional intern for Republican U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe. He re-established Maine Young Democrats, serving as its president for two years.
Justin graduated from Northern Vermont University-Lyndon with a B.S. in Broadcast News and went on to earn an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
He lives in Maine with his husband Eduard.
Gerrymandering. Partisan gridlock. No-choice elections. Lack of diverse representation. These challenges, compounded with the rise of apathy towards our democratic institutions, have led to the most socially and politically divided moment in our lifetimes.
Last month, former State Senator Shenna Bellows was sworn into office as the first woman to hold the position of Maine Secretary of State. It was also the first time Ranked Choice Voting was used in the selection process.
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