SENATE DEMOCRAT SWORN IN TO MAINE LEGISLATURE

AUGUSTA—Democrat Chris Johnson of Somerville was sworn in as State Senator by Governor Paul LePage today. In a mid-morning ceremony, Senator Johnson was joined by his wife and members of the Democratic caucus as he took his oath of office as required by the Constitution.

Gov. LePage administering the oath of office to Senator-elect Chris Johnson

“I look forward to working on the real problems that are important to Maine people,” said Sen. Johnson. “When I knocked on thousands of doors in my district, I heard what matters most—lawmakers must refocus on creating jobs and getting people back to work, making sure families have a few more dollars in their pockets, and making sure the next generation has better opportunities than the one before.”

Johnson defeated Republican State Representative Dana Dow in the Senate District 20 Special Election race on February 14, 2012. Johnson received 54 percent of the vote. Republicans have controlled the district since 2004 when it was reapportioned.

“Clearly, Maine people are frustrated by the LePage agenda,” said Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Justin Alfond of Portland. “The Governor is proposing policies that are costing us jobs and putting Maine families in harms way. Sen. Johnson will be a strong voice in Augusta.”

Senate District 20 was formerly represented by Republican David Trahan of Waldoboro until Dec. 31, when he stepped down to become executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine.

Senator Johnson is the Director of Information Technology for DeskNet, a technology company with offices in Portland and Jersey City, NJ. He lives in Somerville with his wife, Valarie in the house they built together 25 years ago. He is a graduate of Bangor High School and the University of Maine.

Johnson also currently represents Somerville on the board of directors for Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 and the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission.