Cathy Breen

Maine State Senate

In 2014, Breen ran for the seat being vacated by independent Richard G. Woodbury, who did not seek re-election.^[10][7] In the general election, Breen was declared the narrow winner on election night. Her opponent, Republican Cathleen Manchester, requested a recount, after which Manchester was declared the narrow winner. On December 3, Manchester was provisionally seated by the Senate. On December 9, a Senate committee inspection invalidated 21 "phantom ballots" that had been discovered on election night for Manchester. Manchester immediately resigned and Breen was certified the winner.^[11][12]

In 2015, Breen was named Legislator of the Year by the Maine chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.^[13]

Breen ran unopposed in the Democratic primary races in 2016, 2018 and 2020.^[14] In the 2016 general election, she defeated Republican Charles “Bart” Ladd 58%-42%.^[4] In 2018, she won over Republican Cathy Nichols 62%-38%,^[15] and in 2020 she defeated Republican Jennifer White^[3] 62%-38%.^[9][14]

Breen served on the Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee.^[16] and as the Senate chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee in the 129th and 130th legislatures.^[16][17] She was a member of the bipartisan Land Conservation Task Force.^[18][19]

In May 2024, Breen became the director of government affairs for Maine Conservation Voters.^{[citation needed]}

Maine State Senate

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