A Sample of Governors Addresses

Inaugural Address, Governor William King, 1820 Inaugural Address, Governor Hannibal Hamlin, 1857 Inaugural Address, Governor James B. Longley, 1975 Inaugural Address, Governor Joseph E. Brennan, 1979 Inaugural Address, Governor Joseph E. Brennan, 1983 Inaugural Address, Governor John R. McKernan, Jr., 1987 Inaugural Address, Governor John R. McKernan, Jr., 1991 Inaugural Address, Governor Angus S. King,…

Ames, Benjamin

(1778-1835) a Democratic-Republican from Bath, born October 30, 1778, was acting governor 1821-1822 and President of the Maine Senate in 1824. He was born in Andover, Massachusetts and Harvard educated, moved to Bath in 1806 and was admitted to the bar in that same year. He had the good fortune early in his career to…

Anderson, Hugh J.

Hugh J. Anderson

(1801-1881) was a U.S. Representative born in Wiscasset on May 10, 1801 where he attended the local schools. He moved to Belfast in 1815 and was employed as a clerk in the mercantile establishment of his uncle. Clerk of the Waldo County courts 1824-1836, Anderson studied law. Hugh Johnston Anderson was elected as a Democrat…

Baldacci Inaugural Address 2003

Center for Digital Government presents first place award for its annual Best of the Web competition to Governor Baldacci, January 27, 2005.

Governor John E. Baldacci, January 8, 2003 Madam President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislature, Governor Curtis, Governor Brennan, distinguished guests, Chief Saufley and representatives of the court. More than 200 years ago, when Thomas Jefferson delivered his first inaugural address, he came before the American people and said, “the task is above my talents.”…

Baldacci Inaugural Address 2007

Governor Baldacci congratulates Teacher of the Year nominees, March 13, 2009

  Governor John E. Baldacci, January 2, 2007 Madam President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislature, Secretary of State Dunlap, Treasurer Lemoine, Attorney General Rowe, State Auditor Douglas, Congressman Allen, Governor Brennan, Governor King, Governor Doyle, Chief Francis, Chief Nicholas, Chief Commander, Chief Phillips, my wife, the First Lady Karen, and my son Jack, members…

Barrows, Lewis O.

Lewis O. Barrows (courtesy Maine State Museum)

  (1893-1967) born in Newport on June 7, 1893, attended local schools and the University of Maine.  He returned home to work in his father’s drug store, in the insurance business, and then as Newport’s Town Treasurer for twelve years. A conservative Republican, Barrows was a member of the Republican State Committee and a member…

Baxter, Percival P.

Percival P. Baxter (courtesy Maine State Museum)

(1876-1969) was Maine governor from 1921 to 1925, and donated the land for Baxter State Park beginning in 1931. Born on November 22, 1876, he was the son of James Phinney Baxter and Mehitable Proctor Cummings Baxter. He attended schools in Portland and England (while his father researched New England historical documents). He graduated from…

Bodwell, Joseph R.

Joseph Bodwell, Jr. (courtesy Maine State Museum)

(1818-1887) was born in Methuen, Massachusetts on June 18, 1818. His family was poor and at age eight he went to live with a neighbor, working on his farm and receiving little education. At sixteen he was free to hire himself out as a farm laborer for six dollars a month. In 1835 Bodwell began…

Brann, Louis J.

Louis J. Brann (courtesy Maine State Museum)

(1876-1948) of Lewiston, born in Madison on July 6, 1876, was elected Maine’s first Democratic governor in two decades during depression era sweeps in 1932 and again in 1934. He defeated first Burleigh Martin of Augusta, then Alfred Ames of Machias. Brann attended local schools in Gardiner and worked his way through the University of…

Brennan Inaugural Address 1983

Governor Joseph E. Brennan, January 6, 1983 Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, honorable members of the 111th Maine Legislature, Mr. Chief Justice and distinguished members of the Maine Judiciary, Senator Mitchell, Bishop O’Leary, Rabbi Krinsky, Reverend Josselyn, my colleagues in service to the people of Maine, my friends, family, and fellow citizens. It is a rare…

Brennan, Joseph E.

Joseph E. Brennan

(1934- ) was a U.S. Representative born in Portland on November 2, 1934. He attended public schools, then received a B.S. from Boston College in 1958, and an LL.B. from the University of Maine Law School in 1963. State public service began as a member Maine House of Representatives (1965-1971), followed by terms in the…