Sen. Gratwick sworn into the Maine State Senate

AUGUSTA—Senator Geoff Gratwick, D-Bangor, was sworn into the Maine Senate at the State House in Augusta today. Sen. Gratwick was re-elected to his fourth term in the State Senate in November.

“I remain humbled and honored to serve the people of Bangor and Hermon in the Maine Senate,” said Sen. Gratwick. “I look forward to working with colleagues in both parties in the Legislature and with the new administration to make Maine a better place to live healthy and prosperous lives.”

Chief Justice Leigh Saufley administered the oath of office to Sen. Gratwick and 33 of his Senate colleagues, all of whom have been elected to serve two-year terms. Gratwick represents Senate District 9, which includes the city of Bangor and the town of Hermon.

Gratwick lives in Bangor with his wife, Lucy Quimby. He is a retired rheumatologist, having practiced medicine for 40 years. In his time in the Legislature, he has been a steadfast advocate for health care reform.

“Our current healthcare system is too inefficient, expensive and inaccessible for too many Mainers,” said Sen. Gratwick. “I will continue to make fixing this problem a top priority during my final term in the Senate. I am also very pleased that Senate President Jackson has rearranged seating in the Senate Chamber so that there will no longer be Republicans on one side and Democrats on the other. Seating is mixed so that we will be able to know and work with all our colleagues, not just those in our party.”

Of the 35 senators, there are 21 Democrats and 14 Republicans. Twelve are women and 23 are men. There are 13 new members: 11 have recently served in the House of Representatives, two have no previous legislative experience. Twenty-two are incumbents.

The Legislature will reconvene at the start of the new year.

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