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{{Short description|American politician (born 1955)}}
{{future election candidate|article|Pingree, Chellie}}
{{pp-pc}}

{{Infobox Officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Chellie Pingree
|name = Chellie Pingree
| image = ChelliePingree2.jpg
|image = CPingree Portrait 202203.jpg
|caption=Pingree in 2022
| imagesize =
| smallimage =
|state = [[Maine]]
|district = {{ushr|ME|1|1st}}
| caption =
|term_start = January 3, 2009
| order = Maine State Senate Majority Leader
| term_start = [[1996]]
|term_end =
|predecessor = [[Tom Allen (Maine politician)|Tom Allen]]
| term_end = [[2000]]
| vicepresident =
|successor =
|state_senate1 = Maine
| viceprimeminister =
| deputy =
|district1 = 12th
|prior_term1 = 21st district (1992–1994)
| president =
|term_start1 = December 2, 1992
| primeminister =
| predecessor =
|term_end1 = December 6, 2000
|predecessor1 = Linda Curtis Brawn
| successor =
|successor1 = [[Christine Savage]]
| order2 = Member of the [[Maine Senate]] from [[Maine]]'s Senate District 12
|birth_name = Rochelle Marie Johnson
| term_start2 = [[1992]]
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1955|4|2}}
| term_end2 = [[2000]]
|birth_place = [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]], U.S.
| vicepresident2 =
|death_date =
| viceprimeminister2 =
|death_place =
| deputy =
|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| president2 =
| primeminister2 =
|spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Charlie Pingree|end=div}}
| predecessor2 =
* {{marriage|[[Donald Sussman]]|2011|2016|end=div}}
| successor2 =
}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1955|04|02}}
| birth_place = [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]
|children = 3, including [[Hannah Pingree|Hannah]]
|education = [[College of the Atlantic]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| death_date =
|awards = [[Maine Women's Hall of Fame]] (2001)
| death_place =
|website = {{URL|pingree.house.gov|House website}}
| constituency =
|module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Rep. Chellie Pingree Speaks in Opposition to Unrestricted Offshore Drilling in All U.S. Waters.ogg|title=Chellie Pingree's voice|type=speech|description=Pingree speaks in opposition to the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration's]] decision to allow offshore drilling in all U.S. waters<br/>Recorded January 18, 2018}}
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| spouse =
| profession =
| religion =
| signature =
| footnotes =
| alma_mater = [[College of the Atlantic]]
| website = [http://chelliepingree.com/ chelliepingree.com]
}}
}}
{{update}}
'''Chellie M. Pingree''' (born [[April 2]], [[1955]]) is the Congresswomen-elect for the U.S. house of Representatives for Maine's 1st District and the immediate past President and CEO of [[Common Cause]], a nonpartisan citizens' lobbying group based in Washington, DC.


'''Chellie Marie''' '''Pingree''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ʃ|ɛ|l|i|_|ˈ|p|ɪ|ŋ|ɡ|r|iː}} {{Respell|SHELL|ee|_|PING|gree}}; born '''Rochelle Marie Johnson'''; April 2, 1955) is an American politician serving as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|ME|1|}} since 2009.<ref name="About">{{cite news |title=About Chellie |url=http://pingree.house.gov/about-chellie/ |url-status=dead |access-date=2014-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023075814/http://pingree.house.gov/about-chellie |archive-date=2014-10-23}}</ref> Her district includes most of the southern part of the state, centered around the [[Portland, Maine|Portland]] area.
==Personal==
Pingree was born in [[St. Paul, Minnesota]], attended the [[University of Southern Maine]], and graduated from the [[College of the Atlantic]] with a degree in Human Ecology.


A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], Pingree was a member of the [[Maine Senate]] from 1992 to 2000, serving as [[majority leader]] for her last four years. She ran for the [[United States Senate]] in [[2002 United States Senate election in Maine|2002]], losing to incumbent Republican [[Susan Collins]]. From 2003 until 2006, she was president and CEO of [[Common Cause]]. She is the first Democratic woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine.
Pingree held various farming and care-taking jobs until 1981, when she started North Island Yarn, a cottage industry of hand knitters with a retail store on the island of [[North Haven]]. Her business expanded and became North Island Designs, employing as many as ten workers. They began marketing knitting kits and pattern books nationwide through 1,200 retail stores and 100,000 mail order catalogues. Through North Island Designs, Pingree authored and produced five knitting books between [[1986]] and [[1992]].


==Early life, education, and early career==
Pingree has three children; the oldest, [[Hannah Pingree]], is the Majority Leader of the [[Maine House of Representatives]].
Pingree was born Rochelle Marie Johnson, in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]], the daughter of Harry and Dorothy Johnson. She moved to Maine as a teenager and had her first name legally changed to Chellie. She attended the [[University of Southern Maine]] and graduated from [[College of the Atlantic]] with a degree in human ecology. Since graduating from College of the Atlantic, she has resided on [[North Haven, Maine|North Haven]], a small island community off the coast of [[Rockland, Maine|Rockland]].

Pingree held various farming and care-taking jobs until 1981, when she started North Island Yarn, a [[cottage industry]] of hand knitters with a retail store on North Haven. Her business expanded and became North Island Designs, employing as many as ten workers. They began marketing knitting kits and pattern books nationwide through 1,200 retail stores and 100,000 mail-order catalogues. Through North Island Designs, Pingree authored and produced five knitting books between 1986 and 1992. [[Eisenhower Fellowships]] selected her as a USA Eisenhower Fellow in 1997.<ref name="About" />


==Common Cause==
==Common Cause==
As Common Cause's leader, Pingree strengthened the organization's programs in media reform and elections, while maintaining programs in ethics and money in politics. Among the specific issues she championed at [[Common Cause]] are [[Net Neutrality]], Mandatory Voter-Verified Paper Ballots, Public Financing of Congressional Elections, National Popular Vote (a work-around of the Electoral College), and an Independent Ethics Commission for Congress. She stepped down from Common Cause in February [[2007]] to return to her home state, in order to run for Congress in [[2008]].<ref>[http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/state/070131pingree.html ] ''Portland Press Herald''</ref><ref>[http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/008896.html ] ''Portland Press Herald''</ref> If elected she will be Maine's first Democratic woman elected to Congress.
As the leader of [[Common Cause]], Pingree was active in the organization's programs in media reform, elections, ethics, and money in politics. She supported [[net neutrality]], mandatory voter-verified paper ballots, public financing of congressional elections, national popular vote (a workaround for the [[Electoral College (United States)|Electoral College]]), and an independent ethics commission for Congress. She stepped down from Common Cause in February 2007 to return to her home state and run for Congress in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last=Griffin |first=Walter |date=2008-10-03 |title=Chellie Pingree: Maine island living shapes longtime politician's views |newspaper=Bangor Daily News |url=http://bangordailynews.com/2008/10/03/politics/chellie-pingree-maine-island-living-shapes-longtime-politicians-views/}}</ref>


==Maine Senate==
==Maine Senate==
Pingree served as the Senate Majority Leader in the [[Maine Senate]] representing her island community of [[North Haven, Maine]]. Pingree was first elected in 1992 at the age of 37. She was elected Maine's second female Senate Majority Leader on [[December 4]], [[1996]]. In [[2002]], she made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican junior senator [[Susan Collins]], and lost by a margin of 16%. She was outspoken against going to war against Iraq, although counseled by party insiders to avoid that subject.


===Elections===
During her tenure as a state legislator, Pingree led several economic development initiatives including landmark legislation to enhance small business opportunities and keep businesses in Maine. She gained nationwide headlines when she authored the nation's first bill regulating prescription drug prices, Maine Rx. Pingree also shepherded Maine's largest land bill initiative, Land for Maine's Future. In 2000, she was forced to leave the Legislature due to term limits.
Pingree was first elected in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chellie M Pingree |url=https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/directory/chellie-m-pingree/ |access-date=2021-02-24 |website=[[Iowa State University|Iowa State University of Science and Technology]]}}</ref> She was outspoken against going to [[Gulf War|war against Iraq]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chellie Pingree |url=https://www.peaceaction.org/legislator/chellie-pingree/ |access-date=2021-02-24 |website=[[Peace Action]]}}</ref> although counseled by party insiders to avoid that subject. She was reelected in 1994<ref>{{cite news |last=Kyle |first=Bruce |date=1994-11-10 |title=Hard wins, tough defeats for parties in Knox County |newspaper=Bangor Daily News |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qa1JAAAAIBAJ&pg=2933,3082629&dq=chellie-pingree&hl=en}}</ref> and 1996. In 2000, she was unable to seek reelection due to term limits.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congresswoman Chellie Pingree – About |url=https://pingree.house.gov/about/ |access-date=2021-02-24 |website=[[United States House of Representatives]]}}</ref>


===Tenure===
==2008 U.S. House of Representatives campaign==
Pingree represented [[Knox County, Maine|Knox County]] in the [[Maine Senate]]. She was elected Maine's second female majority leader in 1996.
{{seealso|United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2008 #District 1}}
In April 2007, Pingree filed papers for her bid to run for [[Maine's 1st congressional district]].<ref name="Run for Seat">[http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2007/04/06/chellie_pingree_files_for_congressional_run/ Announcement to run for Congress] ''Boston Globe'', April 6, 2007 Accessed [[2008-03-05]]</ref> On August 15th, 2007, [[EMILY's List]] endorsed Pingree's campaign for Congress in Maine's 1st District.<ref name="EL endorsement">[http://www.emilyslist.org/news/releases/2008_pingree_endorsement/index.html EMILY's List Announces Endorsement of Chellie Pingree for Maine 1st District] ''EMILY'S List, press release Accessed [[2008-03-05]]</ref><ref>[http://www.emilyslist.org/candidates/chellie_pingree/ Chellie Pingree U.S. House, ME] ''EMILY'S List'' profile</ref> In December 2007 she also received the endorsement of [[21st Century Democrats]].<ref name="21st Dems endorsement">[http://www.politickerme.com/pingree-announces-endorsements-410 Pingree Announces Endorsements] December 20, 2007 Accessed [[2008-03-05]]</ref> She has also been endorsed by a number of labor organizations and many individuals and state officials, including Congressman [[Rush D. Holt, Jr.]], Congresswoman [[Jan Schakowsky]], current Maine Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell, Fmr. Maine Senate Asst. Majority Leader Anne Rand, State Representative Paulette Beaudoin,State Representative Nancy Smith, progressive writer and activist [[Jim Hightower]], the [[United Auto Workers]], [[Planned Parenthood]], and the [[League of Conservation Voters]].<ref name="all endorsements">[http://chelliepingree.com/chellie/endorsements.html Complete list of endorsements] ''ChelliePingree.com Accessed [[2008-03-05]]</ref>


During her tenure as a state legislator, Pingree made nationwide headlines when she authored the nation's first bill regulating prescription drug prices, Maine Rx.<ref name="Phinney">{{cite news |last=Phinney |first=David |date=2002-04-17 |title=House cancels Pingree's talk on Rx program |work=[[Bangor Daily News]] |url=http://archive.bangordailynews.com/2002/04/17/house-cancels-pingrees-talk-on-rx-program/ |url-status=dead |access-date=2016-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610223459/http://archive.bangordailynews.com/2002/04/17/house-cancels-pingrees-talk-on-rx-program/ |archive-date=2016-06-10}}</ref> She also shepherded Maine's largest land-bill initiative, Land for Maine's Future.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://maineinsights.com/perma/us-rep-chellie-pingree-fighting-for-change-in-washington-dc |title=U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree Fighting for Change in Washington DC |access-date=2013-03-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612072943/http://maineinsights.com/perma/us-rep-chellie-pingree-fighting-for-change-in-washington-dc |archive-date=2013-06-12 }}</ref>
==Electoral results==
*'''2008 General Election - Maine's 1st Congressional District'''
**'''Chellie Pingree 55%'''
**Charlie Summers 45%
*'''2008 Democratic Primary - Maine's 1st Congressional District'''
**'''Chellie Pingree 44%'''
**Adam Cote 28%
**[[Michael_F._Brennan|Michael Brennan]] 11%
**[[Ethan Strimling]] 11%
**Mark Lawrence 5%
**Stephen Meister 1%


*'''2002 Race for U.S. Senate'''
==2002 U.S. Senate campaign==
{{Main|2002 United States Senate election in Maine}}
**[[Susan Collins]] (R) (inc.), 58%
In 2002, Pingree ran for the [[U.S. Senate]] seat held by Republican junior U.S. Senator [[Susan Collins]]. Collins, a popular moderate incumbent, won by a margin of 17%.<ref>{{cite web |title=2002 ELECTION STATISTICS |url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2002/2002Stat.htm |access-date=2015-09-12 |work=house.gov}}</ref>
**'''Chellie Pingree (D), 42%'''

==U.S. House of Representatives==
[[File:Chellie Pingree.jpg|thumb|Pingree during the [[111th United States Congress|111th Congress]]]]

===Elections===
;2008
{{see also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 1}}
In April 2007, Pingree filed papers for her bid to run for [[Maine's 1st congressional district]].<ref name="Run for Seat">[http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2007/04/06/chellie_pingree_files_for_congressional_run/ Announcement to run for Congress] ''Boston Globe'', April 6, 2007; accessed 2008-03-05</ref>

On August 15, 2007, [[EMILY's List]] endorsed Pingree for Congress.<ref name="EL endorsement">[http://www.emilyslist.org/news/releases/2008_pingree_endorsement/index.html EMILY's List Announces Endorsement of Chellie Pingree for Maine 1st District] ''EMILY'S List, press release Accessed 2008-03-05</ref><ref>[http://www.emilyslist.org/candidates/chellie_pingree Chellie Pingree U.S. House, ME] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726174551/http://www.emilyslist.org/candidates/chellie_pingree/|date=2008-07-26}}, emilyslist.org; accessed 2017-02-15.</ref> In December 2007, she was endorsed by [[21st Century Democrats]].<ref name="21st Dems endorsement">[http://www.politickerme.com/pingree-announces-endorsements-410 Pingree Announces Endorsements] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222230004/http://www.politickerme.com/pingree-announces-endorsements-410|date=2008-02-22}} 2007-12-20; accessed 2008-03-05</ref> She was endorsed by a number of labor organizations and many individuals and state officials, including Congressman [[Rush Holt Jr.|Rush D. Holt Jr.]]; Congresswoman [[Jan Schakowsky]]; Maine Senate Majority Leader [[Libby Mitchell]]; former Maine Senate Assistant Majority Leader [[Anne Rand]]; State Representative [[Paulette Beaudoin]]; progressive writer and activist [[Jim Hightower]]; the [[United Auto Workers]]; [[Planned Parenthood]], and the [[League of Conservation Voters]].<ref name="all endorsements">[http://chelliepingree.com/chellie/endorsements.html Complete list of endorsements] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125134136/http://chelliepingree.com/chellie/endorsements.html |date=2008-01-25 }}, ChelliePingree.com; accessed 2008-03-05.</ref>

Pingree was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2008. She was sworn in on January 6, 2009.<ref name="New Faces of Congress">[http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/new-faces-of-congress "New Faces of Congress: The House"], New York Times; accessed 2009-01-09.</ref>

;2010
{{see also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 1}}
Pingree was reelected in 2010, defeating Republican nominee Dean Scontras by a 57–43 margin. She overcame strong anti-Democrat and anti-incumbent political sentiment to become just one of eight House Democrats to receive a higher percentage of the vote than in 2008.[https://smartpolitics.lib.umn.edu/2010/11/08/nancy-pelosi-1-of-8-house-demo/]

;2012
{{see also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 1}}
On February 29, 2012, an Associated Press story mentioned that Pingree was starting to circulate petitions to run for [[2012 United States Senate election in Maine|the U.S. Senate seat]] vacated by the retirement of [[Olympia Snowe]], which she confirmed on ''[[The Rachel Maddow Show (TV series)|The Rachel Maddow Show]]'' later that night.<ref>{{cite news |date=2012-02-29 |title=Sen. Snowe's Retirement Causes Maine Scramble |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/02/29/us/AP-US-Maine-Senate-Scramble.html?_r=1}}</ref> She withdrew her name from the race on March 7 and was reelected to the House.<ref>{{cite news |last=Livingston |first=Abby |date=2012-03-07 |title=Maine: Chellie Pingree Passes on Senate Bid |newspaper=Roll Call |url=http://atr.rollcall.com/maine-pingree-passes-on-senate-bid/}}</ref>

;2014
{{see also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 1}}
In 2014, Pingree won with 60% of the vote against a Republican who had not previously run for elective office and an independent candidate.

;2016
{{see also|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 1}}
In 2016, Pingree defeated Republican nominee Mark Holbrook by around 16 points.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maine's 1st Congressional District election, 2016 |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Maine%27s_1st_Congressional_District_election,_2016 |access-date=2018-07-18 |website=Ballotpedia}}</ref>

;2018
{{see also|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 1}}
In late 2017, Pingree's name was mentioned as a potential Democratic candidate for governor of Maine, to succeed term-limited incumbent [[Paul LePage]]. In mid-December, she announced plans to run for reelection to the House.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pingree says she won't run for governor in 2018 |url=https://bangordailynews.com/2017/12/19/politics/pingree-says-she-wont-run-for-governor-in-2018/ |access-date=2018-07-18 |website=Bangor Daily News|date=19 December 2017 }}</ref> Pingree defeated Holbrook again by around 26 points.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maine's 1st Congressional District election, 2016 |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Maine%27s_1st_Congressional_District_election,_2018 |access-date=2019-01-30 |website=Ballotpedia}}</ref>

;2020
{{see also|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 1}}

Pingree was reelected, defeating Republican nominee Jay Allen.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ohm|first=Rachel |date=2020-11-04|title=Pingree declares victory in Maine's 1st Congressional District|url=https://www.pressherald.com/2020/11/03/pingree-seeking-a-seventh-term-leads-in-early-election-results/|access-date=2020-11-05|website=Press Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=November 3, 2020 General Election |url=https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/results/results20.html#novtab |access-date=2020-08-30 |website=Maine Department of Secretary of State}}</ref>

;2022
{{see also|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 1}}

Pingree was reelected in 2022, defeating Republican nominee Edwin Thelander by 24 percentage points.

;2024
{{see also|2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 1}}

Pingree was reelected in 2024 with 58% of the vote, defeating Republican nominee Ronald Russell by 22 percentage points.

===Tenure===
Soon after her election, Pingree joined the [[Congressional Progressive Caucus]], of which she is now vice chair. In September 2010, a video surfaced on the internet showing Pingree at [[Portland International Jetport]] disembarking from a private jet owned by her then-fiancé, hedge fund manager [[Donald Sussman|S. Donald Sussman]]. This drew criticism due to past statements Pingree made critical of legislators using private aircraft. Pingree declined to respond.<ref>{{cite web|last=Russell|first=Eric|title=Pingree takes heat for rides on fiance's plane|publisher=Bangor Daily News|date=2010-09-24|url=http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/Statewide/Maines-Pingree-takes-heat-for-jet-travel,154586|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720042540/http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/Statewide/Maines-Pingree-takes-heat-for-jet-travel,154586|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-20|access-date=2010-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Congresswoman Pingree's Travel Record Criticized|publisher=WPFO|date=2010-09-24|url=http://www.myfoxmaine.com/news/politics/Congresswoman-Pingrees-Travel-Record-Criticized-103700234.html|access-date=2010-09-27|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926210018/http://www.myfoxmaine.com/news/politics/Congresswoman-Pingrees-Travel-Record-Criticized-103700234.html|archive-date=2010-09-26}}</ref> The House Ethics Committee, in a bipartisan letter, stated the travel was permissible under House ethics rules.<ref>{{cite web|author=Staff|title=Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree's jet travel cleared by ethics panel|date=2010-09-28|url=http://www.pressherald.com/news/pingrees-jet-travel-cleared-by-panel_2010-09-28.html|access-date=2010-09-30}}</ref>

===Legislation sponsored===
On May 23, 2013, Pingree introduced the [[York River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2013 (H.R. 2197; 113th Congress)]]. If passed, the bill would require the [[National Park Service]] (NPS) to study a segment of the [[York River (Maine)|York River]] in Maine for potential addition to the [[Wild and Scenic Rivers System]].<ref name="cbo2197">{{cite web |date=2013-07-29 |title=CBO – H.R. 2197 |url=http://cbo.gov/publication/44470 |access-date=2014-03-03 |publisher=Congressional Budget Office}}</ref> The study would determine how the proposed designation would affect recreational and commercial activities.<ref name="2197sum">{{cite web |title=H.R. 2197 – Summary |url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2197 |access-date=2014-03-03 |publisher=United States Congress}}</ref> The study would cost approximately $500,000.<ref name="SeacoastMcDermott">{{cite news |last=McDermott |first=Deborah |date=2013-01-30 |title=Renewed effort aims to designate York River 'Wild and Scenic' |newspaper=Seacoast Online |url=http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20130130-NEWS-301300322?cid=sitesearch |access-date=2014-03-04}}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
*[[United States House Committee on Appropriations|Committee on Appropriations]] (2013–present)
**[[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies]]
**[[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies]]

====Past====
*[[United States House Committee on Agriculture|Committee on Agriculture]] (2009–2012)
**[[United States House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry|Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry]]
**[[United States House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture|Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture]]
*[[United States House Committee on Armed Services|Committee on Armed Services]] (2009–2012)
**[[United States House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel|Subcommittee on Military Personnel]]
**[[United States House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces|Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces]]

===Caucus memberships===
* [[Congressional Progressive Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Caucus Members |url=https://cpc-grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=71&sectiontree=2,71 |access-date=2018-01-30 |publisher=Congressional Progressive Caucus}}</ref> (Vice Chair)
* [[Congressional Arts Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Membership |url=https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140644/https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership |archive-date=2018-06-12 |access-date=2018-03-13 |publisher=Congressional Arts Caucus}}</ref>
* [[Afterschool Caucuses]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Members |url=http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm |access-date=2018-04-18 |publisher=Afterschool Alliance}}</ref>
* [[Blue Collar Caucus]]<ref>[https://twitter.com/CongBoyle/lists/blue-collar-caucus Twitter Member list]</ref>
* [[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Members |url=https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155201/https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html |archive-date=2018-08-01 |access-date=2018-08-05 |publisher=U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus}}</ref>
* [[Medicare for All Caucus]]
* [[Congressional Coalition on Adoption]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute|url=https://www.ccainstitute.org|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Rare Disease Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Rare Disease Congressional Caucus|author=|url=https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/|format=|publisher=Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases|date=|accessdate=18 December 2024}}</ref>

==Political positions==

Pingree opposes granting the president [[Fast track (trade)|fast track authority]] in negotiating trade agreements, having voted against doing so on June 12, 2015. She said that such agreements need more transparency and debate, not less.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2015/06/12/pingree-poliquin-block-obamas-desired-fast-track-on-trade-deal|title=Pingree, Poliquin block Obama's desired fast-track on trade deal|publisher=[[Bangor Daily News]]|date=2015-06-12 |access-date=2015-06-12}}</ref>

Pingree helped draft the Fair Elections Now Act, a proposal to provide public Fair Elections funding for popular candidates who raised a sufficient number of small local contributions.<ref name="Congress needs Fair Elections Now">{{cite news |last=Pingree |first=Chellie |date=2011-06-27 |title=Congress needs Fair Elections Now |newspaper=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/95021-congress-needs-fair-elections-now/}}</ref> She has spoken out against the 2011 Supreme Court ruling ''[[McComish v. Bennett]]'', which limits public financing systems for congressional campaigns.<ref name="Congress needs Fair Elections Now"/>

Pingree has consistently voted against aggressive foreign policy.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |title=Chellie Pingree: Key Votes |url=http://www.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/6586/chellie-pingree |access-date=2012-03-08 |publisher=Project Vote Smart}}</ref> In March 2011, she voted for a resolution to remove forces from [[Afghanistan]]. In June 2011, she voted for House Resolution 292, preventing President [[Barack Obama]] from deploying ground forces in [[Libya]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

In 2017, Pingree did not attend the inauguration of [[Donald Trump]], instead visiting a [[Planned Parenthood]] center and a business owned by immigrants. She attended the [[2017 Women's March]] the next day and stood on stage with other politicians who had refused to attend the inauguration.<ref name="The Guardian2">{{Cite web |last=Walters |first=Joanna |date=2017-01-20 |title=Women's March organizers prepare for hundreds of thousands of protesters |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/20/womens-march-washington-donald-trump-protest |access-date=2017-01-23 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> In July 2019, Pingree joined 95 Democrats voting for an impeachment resolution against Trump. Maine representative [[Jared Golden]] and 136 other Democrats joined all Republicans to kill the resolution.<ref>{{cite news |date=2019-07-17 |title=House votes to kill impeachment resolution against Trump |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2019/07/17/democrats-divided-as-house-prepares-to-vote-on-whether-to-consider-trump-impeachment/ |access-date=2019-08-03}}</ref>

In July 2019, Pingree voted against H. Res. 246 - 116th Congress, a House Resolution introduced by [[Brad Schneider]] opposing efforts to boycott the State of [[Israel]] and the Global [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions]] Movement targeting Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Clare Foran |date=2019-07-24 |title=Who voted 'no' on the House resolution opposing Israel boycott movement |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/23/politics/no-votes-house-resolution-israel-boycott-movement/index.html |access-date=2019-07-25 |website=CNN}}</ref> The resolution passed 398–17.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/246|title=H.Res.246 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel.|last=Schneider|first=Bradley Scott|date=2019-07-23|website=www.congress.gov|access-date=2019-07-25}}</ref>

On December 18, 2019, Pingree voted to impeach Trump.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-impeachment-vote-results-house-2019-12|website=Business Insider|access-date=2020-01-21|title=WHIP COUNT: Here's which members of the House voted for and against impeaching Trump|last=Panetta|first=Grace}}</ref>

Alongside her House colleagues, Pingree has urged President Joe Biden to declare a national climate emergency.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-22 |title=Pingree urges Biden to declare a climate emergency |url=https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2022-07-22/pingree-urges-biden-to-declare-a-climate-emergency |access-date=2022-08-02 |website=Maine Public |language=en}}</ref> She supports [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]]'s Green New Deal resolution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-27 |title=Pingree Announces Support for Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal Resolution |url=https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=147 |access-date=2022-08-02 |website=U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree |language=en}}</ref>

Pingree voted with President [[Joe Biden]]'s stated position 100% of the time in the [[117th United States Congress|117th Congress]], according to a ''[[FiveThirtyEight]]'' analysis.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bycoffe |first=Aaron |last2=Wiederkehr |first2=Anna |date=2021-04-22 |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=FiveThirtyEight |language=en}}</ref>

===Syria===
In 2023, Pingree was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President [[Joe Biden]] to remove U.S. troops from [[Syria]] within 180 days.<ref>{{Cite web |title=H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Syria. |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h136 |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=[[GovTrack]] |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-08 |title=House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-08/house-votes-down-bill-directing-removal-of-troops-from-syria |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=[[U.S. News & World Report]]}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{| class=wikitable
! Year
! Office
! Candidate
! Party
! Votes
! %
! Opponent
! Party
! Votes
! %
! Opponent
! Party
! Votes
! %
|-
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2008|2008]]<ref>{{cite web|title=ME – District 1 Race – Nov 04, 2008|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=338237|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref>
| rowspan=9 | {{ushr|Maine|1|Maine's<br />1st<br />congressional<br />district}}
| rowspan=9 nowrap {{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Chellie Pingree'''
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |205,629
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |54.90%
| {{party shading/Republican}} |[[Charlie Summers]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} |168,930
| {{party shading/Republican}} |45.10%
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2010|2010]]<ref>{{cite web|title=ME – District 1 Race – Nov 02, 2010|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=490753|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref>
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |169,114
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |56.82%
| {{party shading/Republican}} |[[Dean Scontras]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} |128,501
| {{party shading/Republican}} |43.17%
| {{party shading/Other}} |Other
| {{party shading/Other}} |Other
| {{party shading/Other}} |42
| {{party shading/Other}} |0.01%
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2012|2012]]<ref>{{cite web|title=ME – District 1 Race- Nov 06, 2012|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=705006|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref>
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |236,363
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |64.79%
| {{party shading/Republican}} |[[Jonathan Courtney]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} |128,440
| {{party shading/Republican}} |35.21%
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2014|2014]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Maine Election Results 2014|url=http://elections.nytimes.com/2014/maine-elections|work=The New York Times|access-date=4 January 2016}}</ref>
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |186,309
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | 60.3%
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Isaac Misiuk
| {{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} |94,847
| {{party shading/Republican}} |30.7%
| {{party shading/Other}} |Richard Murphy
| {{party shading/Other}} |Other
| {{party shading/Other}} |27,669
| {{party shading/Other}} |9.0%
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2016|2016]]<ref>{{cite web|title=2016 Maine House Election Results|url=https://www.politico.com/2016-election/results/map/house/maine/|publisher=Politico|access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref>
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |227,546
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |57.9%
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Mark Holbrook
| {{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} |164,569
| {{party shading/Republican}} |42.1%
| {{party shading/Libertarian}} |James Bouchard
| {{party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| {{party shading/Libertarian}} |14,551
| {{party shading/Libertarian}} |3.6%
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2018|2018]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Maine Election Results: First House District|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/maine-house-district-1?mtrref=www.nytimes.com&gwh=35151D37E1EF150F05952B68B41028F6&gwt=pay|work=The New York Times|access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref>
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |198,853
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |58.8%
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Mark Holbrook
| {{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} |109,714
| {{party shading/Republican}} |32.4%
| {{party shading/Independent (United States)}} |Martin Grohman
| {{party shading/Independent (United States)}} |[[Independent politician|Independent]]
| {{party shading/Independent (United States)}} |29,569
| {{party shading/Independent (United States)}} |8.7%
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2020|2020]]<ref>{{cite web |title=November 3, 2020 General Election |url=https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/results/results20.html#novtab |website=Maine Department of Secretary of State |access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref>
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |271,004
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |62.2%
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Jay Allen
| {{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} |165,008
| {{party shading/Republican}} |37.8%
|-
| [[2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine|2022]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |218,630
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |62.8%
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Ed Thelander
| {{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} |128,996
| {{party shading/Republican}} |37.1%
|-
| [[2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine|2024]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Maine First Congressional District Election Results|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-maine-us-house-1.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=13 December 2024}}</ref>
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |249,798
| {{party shading/Democratic}} |58.7%
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Ronald Russell
| {{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} |154,849
| {{party shading/Republican}} |36.4%
| {{party shading/Independent (United States)}} |Ethan Alcorn
| {{party shading/Independent (United States)}} |[[Independent politician|Independent]]
| {{party shading/Independent (United States)}} |20,883
| {{party shading/Independent (United States)}} |4.9%
|}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2008 U.S. House Democratic primary, 1st district of Maine
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Chellie Pingree
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 24,324
| percentage = 43.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Adam Cote
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 15,706
| percentage = 28.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Michael F. Brennan|Michael Brennan]]
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 6,040
| percentage = 10.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Ethan Strimling]]
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 5,833
| percentage = 10.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Mark Lawrence (politician)|Mark Lawrence]]
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 2,726
| percentage = 4.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Steve Meister
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 753
| percentage = 1.3
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 55,382
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Maine U.S. Senate Election 2002}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (US)
|candidate = [[Susan Collins]] (incumbent)
|votes = 299,266
|percentage = 58.4
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (US)
|candidate = Chellie Pingree
|votes = 205,901
|percentage = 41.6
|change =
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Personal life==
Pingree has three children; the oldest, [[Hannah Pingree]], is the former Speaker of the [[Maine House of Representatives]]. On June 18, 2011, Pingree married [[Donald Sussman|S. Donald Sussman]], a hedge fund manager,<ref name="nogovernor">{{cite web |author=Kevin Miller |date=2013-04-27 |title=Chellie Pingree says she won't run for Maine governorl |url=http://www.kjonline.com/news/Chellie-Pingree-says-she-wont-run-for-Maine-governor.html?pagenum=full |access-date=2013-04-27 |publisher=Kennebec Journal}}</ref> in a private ceremony at the couple's home in North Haven, Maine.<ref name="married">{{cite news |last=Riskind |first=Jonathan |title=Pingree, Sussman wed |newspaper=Portland Press Herald |url=http://www.pressherald.com/news/pingree-sussman-wed_2011-06-20.html |access-date=2011-06-20}}</ref>

Until June 1, 2015, Sussman owned a 75%<ref>{{cite news |date=2012-03-27 |title=Sussman-owned group acquires 75 percent share of MaineToday Media |newspaper=Bangor Daily News |url=https://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/27/business/sussman-owned-group-acquires-75-percent-share-of-mainetoday-media |access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> stake in [[MaineToday Media]], the owners of the ''[[Portland Press Herald]]'', ''[[Kennebec Journal]]'', and ''[[Morning Sentinel]]'', in addition to sitting on the board of directors.<ref>{{cite news |date=2012-02-10 |title=Chellie Pingree's husband gives boost to MaineToday Media |newspaper=Bangor Daily News |url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/02/10/business/chellie-pingrees-husband-gives-boost-to-mainetoday-media |access-date=2014-05-18}}</ref> Articles in those papers that discussed Pingree carried a disclaimer noting her marriage to Sussman.<ref name="nogovernor"/><ref>{{cite web |date=2014-03-05 |title=Pingree's letter to federal regulators protests Comcast, Time Warner merger – The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram |url=http://www.pressherald.com/news/Chellie_Pingree_sends_letter_protesting_Comcast_Time_Warner_merger_.html |access-date=2015-09-12 |work=The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram}}</ref>

Sussman completed the sale of his stake in MaineToday Media on June 1, 2015.<ref>{{cite news |date=2015-06-01 |title=Midcoast owner completes purchase of MaineToday newspapers |newspaper=Bangor Daily News |url=http://bangordailynews.com/2015/06/01/business/midcoast-owner-completes-purchase-of-mainetoday-newspapers/ |access-date=2015-06-02}}</ref>

Pingree released a statement on September 8, 2015, announcing her separation and beginning of divorce proceedings from Sussman. She called it an "amicable and truly mutual decision". They divorced in the summer of 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=Maine Democrats find help elsewhere after megadonor's exit |newspaper=Portland Press Herald |url=http://www.pressherald.com/2016/11/06/sussman-who-maine-liberals-move-on-after-megadonors-exit |access-date=2016-11-16}}</ref>

Pingree and her daughter Hannah co-own the Nebo Lodge Inn & Restaurant on Maine's North Haven Island.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sekules |first=Kate |title=Maine Vacation: An Amazing Ultra-Locavore Lodge |newspaper=Food & Wine Magazine |url=http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/maine-vacation-an-amazing-ultra-locavore-lodge |access-date=2013-05-06}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|United States|Politics}}
* [[Women in the United States House of Representatives]]
{{clear}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|30em}}

===Sources===
* {{cite journal | last = Wright | first = Virginia | title = Maine's Newest Political Dynasty | journal = Down East: The Magazine of Maine | issue = January 2009 }}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikisource author}}
*[https://pingree.house.gov/ Congresswoman Chellie Pingree] official U.S. House website
*[http://www.chelliepingree.com/ Campaign webpage]
{{CongLinks|congbio=P000597|votesmart=6586|fec=H8ME01120 |congress=chellie-pingree/P000597}}
*{{C-SPAN|1002167}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Joseph E. Brennan|Joseph Brennan]]}}
{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[United States Senator|U.S. Senator]] from [[Maine]]}}<br />([[Classes of United States Senators|Class 2]])|years=[[2002 United States Senate election in Maine|2002]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Tom Allen (Maine politician)|Tom Allen]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Tom Allen (Maine politician)|Tom Allen]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Maine|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br />from [[Maine's 1st congressional district]]|years=2009–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-prec|usa}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Seniority in the United States House of Representatives|United States representatives by seniority]]|years=72nd}}
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{{s-end}}


{{ME-FedRep}}
== External links ==
{{USHouseCurrent}}
*[http://chelliepingree.com/ Chellie Pingree for U.S. Congress] ''official campaign website''
{{USCongRep-start|congresses= 111th–present [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[Maine]]}}
{{CongLinks | congbio = | fec = H8ME01120 | opensecrets = | votesmart = 6586 | ontheissuespath = | legistorm = | surge = | govtrack = | findagrave = }}
{{USCongRep/ME/111}}
*[http://opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?ID=ME01&Cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] at [[OpenSecrets.org]]
{{USCongRep/ME/112}}
*[http://www.commoncause.org Common Cause] official website
{{USCongRep/ME/113}}
*{{dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Maine/Society_and_Culture/Politics/Candidates_and_Campaigns/US_House/Congressional_District_1/Chellie_Pingree_%5bD%5d}}
{{USCongRep/ME/114}}
{{USCongRep/ME/115}}
{{USCongRep/ME/116}}
{{USCongRep/ME/117}}
{{USCongRep/ME/118}}
{{USCongRep/ME/119}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{Maine Women's Hall of Fame}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Pingree, Chellie}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pingree, Chellie}}
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Maine State Senators]]
[[Category:21st-century American women politicians]]
[[Category:Democrats (United States)]]
[[Category:American Lutherans]]
[[Category:Maine politicians]]
[[Category:College of the Atlantic alumni]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Maine]]
[[Category:Female members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Lutherans from Maine]]
[[Category:Majority leaders of the Maine Senate]]
[[Category:People from North Haven, Maine]]
[[Category:Politicians from Minneapolis]]
[[Category:University of Southern Maine alumni]]
[[Category:University of Southern Maine alumni]]
[[Category:People from Knox County, Maine]]
[[Category:Women state legislators in Maine]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:People from Minneapolis, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Maine Democrats]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Maine Legislature]]
[[Category:20th-century American women politicians]]

Latest revision as of 16:30, 8 January 2025

Chellie Pingree
Pingree in 2022
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Maine's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2009
Preceded byTom Allen
Member of the Maine Senate
from the 12th district
21st district (1992–1994)
In office
December 2, 1992 – December 6, 2000
Preceded byLinda Curtis Brawn
Succeeded byChristine Savage
Personal details
Born
Rochelle Marie Johnson

(1955-04-02) April 2, 1955 (age 69)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
Charlie Pingree
​
(divorced)​
​
​
(m. 2011; div. 2016)​
Children3, including Hannah
EducationCollege of the Atlantic (BA)
AwardsMaine Women's Hall of Fame (2001)
WebsiteHouse website
Chellie Pingree's voice
Pingree speaks in opposition to the Trump administration's decision to allow offshore drilling in all U.S. waters
Recorded January 18, 2018

Chellie Marie Pingree (/ˈʃɛli ˈpɪŋɡriː/ SHELL-ee PING-gree; born Rochelle Marie Johnson; April 2, 1955) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Maine's 1st congressional district since 2009.[1] Her district includes most of the southern part of the state, centered around the Portland area.

A member of the Democratic Party, Pingree was a member of the Maine Senate from 1992 to 2000, serving as majority leader for her last four years. She ran for the United States Senate in 2002, losing to incumbent Republican Susan Collins. From 2003 until 2006, she was president and CEO of Common Cause. She is the first Democratic woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine.

Early life, education, and early career

[edit]

Pingree was born Rochelle Marie Johnson, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Harry and Dorothy Johnson. She moved to Maine as a teenager and had her first name legally changed to Chellie. She attended the University of Southern Maine and graduated from College of the Atlantic with a degree in human ecology. Since graduating from College of the Atlantic, she has resided on North Haven, a small island community off the coast of Rockland.

Pingree held various farming and care-taking jobs until 1981, when she started North Island Yarn, a cottage industry of hand knitters with a retail store on North Haven. Her business expanded and became North Island Designs, employing as many as ten workers. They began marketing knitting kits and pattern books nationwide through 1,200 retail stores and 100,000 mail-order catalogues. Through North Island Designs, Pingree authored and produced five knitting books between 1986 and 1992. Eisenhower Fellowships selected her as a USA Eisenhower Fellow in 1997.[1]

Common Cause

[edit]

As the leader of Common Cause, Pingree was active in the organization's programs in media reform, elections, ethics, and money in politics. She supported net neutrality, mandatory voter-verified paper ballots, public financing of congressional elections, national popular vote (a workaround for the Electoral College), and an independent ethics commission for Congress. She stepped down from Common Cause in February 2007 to return to her home state and run for Congress in 2008.[2]

Maine Senate

[edit]

Elections

[edit]

Pingree was first elected in 1992.[3] She was outspoken against going to war against Iraq,[4] although counseled by party insiders to avoid that subject. She was reelected in 1994[5] and 1996. In 2000, she was unable to seek reelection due to term limits.[6]

Tenure

[edit]

Pingree represented Knox County in the Maine Senate. She was elected Maine's second female majority leader in 1996.

During her tenure as a state legislator, Pingree made nationwide headlines when she authored the nation's first bill regulating prescription drug prices, Maine Rx.[7] She also shepherded Maine's largest land-bill initiative, Land for Maine's Future.[8]

2002 U.S. Senate campaign

[edit]
Main article: 2002 United States Senate election in Maine

In 2002, Pingree ran for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican junior U.S. Senator Susan Collins. Collins, a popular moderate incumbent, won by a margin of 17%.[9]

U.S. House of Representatives

[edit]
Pingree during the 111th Congress

Elections

[edit]
2008
See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 1

In April 2007, Pingree filed papers for her bid to run for Maine's 1st congressional district.[10]

On August 15, 2007, EMILY's List endorsed Pingree for Congress.[11][12] In December 2007, she was endorsed by 21st Century Democrats.[13] She was endorsed by a number of labor organizations and many individuals and state officials, including Congressman Rush D. Holt Jr.; Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky; Maine Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell; former Maine Senate Assistant Majority Leader Anne Rand; State Representative Paulette Beaudoin; progressive writer and activist Jim Hightower; the United Auto Workers; Planned Parenthood, and the League of Conservation Voters.[14]

Pingree was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2008. She was sworn in on January 6, 2009.[15]

2010
See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 1

Pingree was reelected in 2010, defeating Republican nominee Dean Scontras by a 57–43 margin. She overcame strong anti-Democrat and anti-incumbent political sentiment to become just one of eight House Democrats to receive a higher percentage of the vote than in 2008.[1]

2012
See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 1

On February 29, 2012, an Associated Press story mentioned that Pingree was starting to circulate petitions to run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retirement of Olympia Snowe, which she confirmed on The Rachel Maddow Show later that night.[16] She withdrew her name from the race on March 7 and was reelected to the House.[17]

2014
See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 1

In 2014, Pingree won with 60% of the vote against a Republican who had not previously run for elective office and an independent candidate.

2016
See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 1

In 2016, Pingree defeated Republican nominee Mark Holbrook by around 16 points.[18]

2018
See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 1

In late 2017, Pingree's name was mentioned as a potential Democratic candidate for governor of Maine, to succeed term-limited incumbent Paul LePage. In mid-December, she announced plans to run for reelection to the House.[19] Pingree defeated Holbrook again by around 26 points.[20]

2020
See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 1

Pingree was reelected, defeating Republican nominee Jay Allen.[21][22]

2022
See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 1

Pingree was reelected in 2022, defeating Republican nominee Edwin Thelander by 24 percentage points.

2024
See also: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 1

Pingree was reelected in 2024 with 58% of the vote, defeating Republican nominee Ronald Russell by 22 percentage points.

Tenure

[edit]

Soon after her election, Pingree joined the Congressional Progressive Caucus, of which she is now vice chair. In September 2010, a video surfaced on the internet showing Pingree at Portland International Jetport disembarking from a private jet owned by her then-fiancé, hedge fund manager S. Donald Sussman. This drew criticism due to past statements Pingree made critical of legislators using private aircraft. Pingree declined to respond.[23][24] The House Ethics Committee, in a bipartisan letter, stated the travel was permissible under House ethics rules.[25]

Legislation sponsored

[edit]

On May 23, 2013, Pingree introduced the York River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2013 (H.R. 2197; 113th Congress). If passed, the bill would require the National Park Service (NPS) to study a segment of the York River in Maine for potential addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.[26] The study would determine how the proposed designation would affect recreational and commercial activities.[27] The study would cost approximately $500,000.[28]

Committee assignments

[edit]

Past

[edit]

Caucus memberships

[edit]

Political positions

[edit]

Pingree opposes granting the president fast track authority in negotiating trade agreements, having voted against doing so on June 12, 2015. She said that such agreements need more transparency and debate, not less.[36]

Pingree helped draft the Fair Elections Now Act, a proposal to provide public Fair Elections funding for popular candidates who raised a sufficient number of small local contributions.[37] She has spoken out against the 2011 Supreme Court ruling McComish v. Bennett, which limits public financing systems for congressional campaigns.[37]

Pingree has consistently voted against aggressive foreign policy.[38] In March 2011, she voted for a resolution to remove forces from Afghanistan. In June 2011, she voted for House Resolution 292, preventing President Barack Obama from deploying ground forces in Libya.[38]

In 2017, Pingree did not attend the inauguration of Donald Trump, instead visiting a Planned Parenthood center and a business owned by immigrants. She attended the 2017 Women's March the next day and stood on stage with other politicians who had refused to attend the inauguration.[39] In July 2019, Pingree joined 95 Democrats voting for an impeachment resolution against Trump. Maine representative Jared Golden and 136 other Democrats joined all Republicans to kill the resolution.[40]

In July 2019, Pingree voted against H. Res. 246 - 116th Congress, a House Resolution introduced by Brad Schneider opposing efforts to boycott the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel.[41] The resolution passed 398–17.[42]

On December 18, 2019, Pingree voted to impeach Trump.[43]

Alongside her House colleagues, Pingree has urged President Joe Biden to declare a national climate emergency.[44] She supports Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal resolution.[45]

Pingree voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.[46]

Syria

[edit]

In 2023, Pingree was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[47][48]

Electoral history

[edit]
Year Office Candidate Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
2008[49] Maine's
1st
congressional
district 		Chellie Pingree Democratic 205,629 54.90% Charlie Summers Republican 168,930 45.10%
2010[50] Democratic 169,114 56.82% Dean Scontras Republican 128,501 43.17% Other Other 42 0.01%
2012[51] Democratic 236,363 64.79% Jonathan Courtney Republican 128,440 35.21%
2014[52] Democratic 186,309 60.3% Isaac Misiuk Republican 94,847 30.7% Richard Murphy Other 27,669 9.0%
2016[53] Democratic 227,546 57.9% Mark Holbrook Republican 164,569 42.1% James Bouchard Libertarian 14,551 3.6%
2018[54] Democratic 198,853 58.8% Mark Holbrook Republican 109,714 32.4% Martin Grohman Independent 29,569 8.7%
2020[55] Democratic 271,004 62.2% Jay Allen Republican 165,008 37.8%
2022 Democratic 218,630 62.8% Ed Thelander Republican 128,996 37.1%
2024[56] Democratic 249,798 58.7% Ronald Russell Republican 154,849 36.4% Ethan Alcorn Independent 20,883 4.9%
2008 U.S. House Democratic primary, 1st district of Maine
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chellie Pingree 24,324 43.9
Democratic Adam Cote 15,706 28.3
Democratic Michael Brennan 6,040 10.9
Democratic Ethan Strimling 5,833 10.5
Democratic Mark Lawrence 2,726 4.9
Democratic Steve Meister 753 1.3
Total votes 55,382 100
Maine U.S. Senate Election 2002
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Susan Collins (incumbent) 299,266 58.4
Democratic Chellie Pingree 205,901 41.6

Personal life

[edit]

Pingree has three children; the oldest, Hannah Pingree, is the former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. On June 18, 2011, Pingree married S. Donald Sussman, a hedge fund manager,[57] in a private ceremony at the couple's home in North Haven, Maine.[58]

Until June 1, 2015, Sussman owned a 75%[59] stake in MaineToday Media, the owners of the Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal, and Morning Sentinel, in addition to sitting on the board of directors.[60] Articles in those papers that discussed Pingree carried a disclaimer noting her marriage to Sussman.[57][61]

Sussman completed the sale of his stake in MaineToday Media on June 1, 2015.[62]

Pingree released a statement on September 8, 2015, announcing her separation and beginning of divorce proceedings from Sussman. She called it an "amicable and truly mutual decision". They divorced in the summer of 2016.[63]

Pingree and her daughter Hannah co-own the Nebo Lodge Inn & Restaurant on Maine's North Haven Island.[64]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "About Chellie". Archived from the original on 2014-10-23. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
  2. ^ Griffin, Walter (2008-10-03). "Chellie Pingree: Maine island living shapes longtime politician's views". Bangor Daily News.
  3. ^ "Chellie M Pingree". Iowa State University of Science and Technology. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  4. ^ "Chellie Pingree". Peace Action. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  5. ^ Kyle, Bruce (1994-11-10). "Hard wins, tough defeats for parties in Knox County". Bangor Daily News.
  6. ^ "Congresswoman Chellie Pingree – About". United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  7. ^ Phinney, David (2002-04-17). "House cancels Pingree's talk on Rx program". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
  8. ^ "U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree Fighting for Change in Washington DC". Archived from the original on 2013-06-12. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  9. ^ "2002 ELECTION STATISTICS". house.gov. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  10. ^ Announcement to run for Congress Boston Globe, April 6, 2007; accessed 2008-03-05
  11. ^ EMILY's List Announces Endorsement of Chellie Pingree for Maine 1st District EMILY'S List, press release Accessed 2008-03-05
  12. ^ Chellie Pingree U.S. House, ME Archived 2008-07-26 at the Wayback Machine, emilyslist.org; accessed 2017-02-15.
  13. ^ Pingree Announces Endorsements Archived 2008-02-22 at the Wayback Machine 2007-12-20; accessed 2008-03-05
  14. ^ Complete list of endorsements Archived 2008-01-25 at the Wayback Machine, ChelliePingree.com; accessed 2008-03-05.
  15. ^ "New Faces of Congress: The House", New York Times; accessed 2009-01-09.
  16. ^ "Sen. Snowe's Retirement Causes Maine Scramble". The New York Times. 2012-02-29.
  17. ^ Livingston, Abby (2012-03-07). "Maine: Chellie Pingree Passes on Senate Bid". Roll Call.
  18. ^ "Maine's 1st Congressional District election, 2016". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  19. ^ "Pingree says she won't run for governor in 2018". Bangor Daily News. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  20. ^ "Maine's 1st Congressional District election, 2016". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  21. ^ Ohm, Rachel (2020-11-04). "Pingree declares victory in Maine's 1st Congressional District". Press Herald. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  22. ^ "November 3, 2020 General Election". Maine Department of Secretary of State. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
  23. ^ Russell, Eric (2010-09-24). "Pingree takes heat for rides on fiance's plane". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  24. ^ "Congresswoman Pingree's Travel Record Criticized". WPFO. 2010-09-24. Archived from the original on 2010-09-26. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  25. ^ Staff (2010-09-28). "Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree's jet travel cleared by ethics panel". Retrieved 2010-09-30.
  26. ^ "CBO – H.R. 2197". Congressional Budget Office. 2013-07-29. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  27. ^ "H.R. 2197 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  28. ^ McDermott, Deborah (2013-01-30). "Renewed effort aims to designate York River 'Wild and Scenic'". Seacoast Online. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  29. ^ "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  30. ^ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  31. ^ "Members". Afterschool Alliance. Retrieved 2018-04-18.
  32. ^ Twitter Member list
  33. ^ "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. Archived from the original on 2018-08-01. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  34. ^ "Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute".
  35. ^ "Rare Disease Congressional Caucus". Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  36. ^ "Pingree, Poliquin block Obama's desired fast-track on trade deal". Bangor Daily News. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2015-06-12.
  37. ^ a b Pingree, Chellie (2011-06-27). "Congress needs Fair Elections Now". The Hill.
  38. ^ a b "Chellie Pingree: Key Votes". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  39. ^ Walters, Joanna (2017-01-20). "Women's March organizers prepare for hundreds of thousands of protesters". The Guardian. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  40. ^ "House votes to kill impeachment resolution against Trump". The Washington Post. 2019-07-17. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  41. ^ Clare Foran (2019-07-24). "Who voted 'no' on the House resolution opposing Israel boycott movement". CNN. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  42. ^ Schneider, Bradley Scott (2019-07-23). "H.Res.246 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  43. ^ Panetta, Grace. "WHIP COUNT: Here's which members of the House voted for and against impeaching Trump". Business Insider. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  44. ^ "Pingree urges Biden to declare a climate emergency". Maine Public. 2022-07-22. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  45. ^ "Pingree Announces Support for Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal Resolution". U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree. 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  46. ^ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (2021-04-22). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  47. ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Syria". GovTrack. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  48. ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". U.S. News & World Report. 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  49. ^ "ME – District 1 Race – Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  50. ^ "ME – District 1 Race – Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  51. ^ "ME – District 1 Race- Nov 06, 2012". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  52. ^ "Maine Election Results 2014". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  53. ^ "2016 Maine House Election Results". Politico. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  54. ^ "Maine Election Results: First House District". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  55. ^ "November 3, 2020 General Election". Maine Department of Secretary of State. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  56. ^ "Maine First Congressional District Election Results". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  57. ^ a b Kevin Miller (2013-04-27). "Chellie Pingree says she won't run for Maine governorl". Kennebec Journal. Retrieved 2013-04-27.
  58. ^ Riskind, Jonathan. "Pingree, Sussman wed". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  59. ^ "Sussman-owned group acquires 75 percent share of MaineToday Media". Bangor Daily News. 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
  60. ^ "Chellie Pingree's husband gives boost to MaineToday Media". Bangor Daily News. 2012-02-10. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  61. ^ "Pingree's letter to federal regulators protests Comcast, Time Warner merger – The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram". The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  62. ^ "Midcoast owner completes purchase of MaineToday newspapers". Bangor Daily News. 2015-06-01. Retrieved 2015-06-02.
  63. ^ "Maine Democrats find help elsewhere after megadonor's exit". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 2016-11-16.
  64. ^ Sekules, Kate. "Maine Vacation: An Amazing Ultra-Locavore Lodge". Food & Wine Magazine. Retrieved 2013-05-06.

Sources

[edit]
  • Wright, Virginia. "Maine's Newest Political Dynasty". Down East: The Magazine of Maine (January 2009).
[edit]
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Chellie Pingree
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Maine
(Class 2)
2002 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Maine's 1st congressional district
2009–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
72nd 		Succeeded by
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