BREEN: MAINE’S NEWEST STATE SENATOR
Cathy Breen sworn in to represent Senate District 25
AUGUSTA—Democrat Cathy Breen was sworn in as State Senator today by Governor Paul LePage today. Senator Breen was joined by her husband, her children, and members of Democratic leadership as she took her oath of office as required by the Constitution.
Gov. LePage administering the oath of office to Senator-elect Breen
“I am greatly honored to be representing the communities in Senate District 25,” said Senator Breen of Falmouth. “I am committed to working with my colleagues on the many important issues facing our state.”
Senator Breen defeated Republican Cathy Manchester after a much-contested race that triggered a special panel to investigate 21 so-called “phantom ballots” that turned up during the recount. The 7-member investigative panel revealed that the 21 untraceable ballots were actually double-counted during the recount and that Cathy Breen remained the winner of the Senate District 25 race.
On the Senate floor, Assistant Democratic Leader Dawn Hill of York said, “We are very pleased that Cathy Breen will be seated. From start to finish, she has displayed grace and professionalism. The people of Senate District 25 will be well served with her as their State Senator.”
Breen has been selected to serve on the legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
“I’m committed to restoring the tax relief folks lost with the repeal of the Circuit Breaker program and so I’ll be spearheading an effort aimed at property tax fairness. The recent trend to shift more and more of the burden for basic services on to property taxpayers is most difficult for folks on fixed incomes. Another measure that I’m working on expands our alternative transportation corridor with access to more pedestrian and bike paths throughout our state.”
New State Senator, Cathy Breen
Breen served on the Falmouth Town Council from 2005-2011 and served twice as Chair. In 2007, she shepherded the passage of the Open Space referendum, one of the most successful municipal efforts to conserve local land and wildlife habitat in Maine history. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Spurwink Services, a statewide agency that addresses the needs of children and adults with behavioral health challenges and developmental disabilities. She served on the Board of Directors of Community Counseling Center from 2004-2007.
Breen lives in Falmouth with her husband and two teenaged children.
Senate District 25 includes Chebeague Island, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gray, Long Island, Yarmouth, and part of Westbrook.
