Some new faces among GOP leadership, though Stewart to remain at Senate helm

Legislative Republicans will have some new faces leading the party in Augusta next session after a bruising election left them with even less power in the Maine Senate and House of Representatives.

Sen. Trey Stewart will continue to helm the Senate GOP caucus after he was selected by his peers during a closed-door meeting on Friday, though formal votes are held when the Legislature convenes to get sworn in on Dec. 2. 

In a statement Friday, Stewart said he was grateful to his fellow caucus members for their continued confidence. “The lessons we learned on Tuesday are clear,” he said, “Republicans have to focus on the issues important to Maine people, listen to what they are telling us, adjust our strategy to make it clear we have a plan to improve their lives and work together to ensure that plan is carried out.”

Stewart, who has served as minority leader since 2022, was re-elected to his fourth term representing Aroostook County. Prior to that, he served two terms in the House, where he was the assistant Republican leader.

As minority leader, Stewart is the principal speaker for the party during debates on the chamber floor and works to coordinate the party’s legislative agenda. Republicans will only hold 11 of 35 seats in the Senate, down from 14 this past session.

Sen. David Haggan of Hampden was selected to serve as assistant minority leader. Representing parts of Penobscot and Hancock counties, Haggan was just re-elected to his second Senate term after serving four terms in the House.

“Our caucus brings together new perspectives and proven experience, and I’m eager to put both to work for Maine families,” said Haggan in a statement. “We will pursue practical solutions to rising costs, demand discipline in state spending and work with colleagues across the aisle when it serves Mainers.” 

In the House, where Republicans will hold 61of 151 seats after losing a dozen this past Tuesday, Rep. Ken Fredette will lead the minority party, replacing Billy Bob Faulkingham, who was just elected to the Senate. The Newport representative, who held the leadership position from 2014 to 2018, was just elected to his sixth nonconsecutive term in the Legislature. 

In a statement, Fredette said that House Republicans look forward to working with Gov.-elect Hannah Pingree “and agree where we can agree, and where we disagree, fight for our values in all we do for the people of Maine.” 

Rep. Alicia Collins of Sidney was chosen to serve as assistant Republican leader after being elected to her second term in the House. Collins said in a statement that “the needs of everyday Mainers should be our top priority this session.”

With each of these leadership positions also comes a seat on the Legislative Council, which is responsible for the overall management of the legislative branch and has authority over whether to approve after deadline bills.