Ross Kesler

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Ross Kesler
keswiki.jpg
United States Senator from New England
In Office:
2015 - 2021
Preceded by Brea O'Connor
Succeeded by Megaregionalization
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine's 1st district
In Office:
2011 - 2015
Preceded by Chellie Pingree
Succeeded by Priya Almsley
Member of the Maine State House from the 120th district
In Office:
2007 - 2011
Preceded by Benjamin Dudley
Succeeded by Regionalization
Born

November 4, 1980
Brunswick, Maine
Political Party Democratic
Spouse Single
Profession {{{Profession}}}
Children {{{Children}}}
Religion Unknown


Ross Pierre Kesler (born November 4, 1980) is a former Democratic United States Senator who represented the former region of New England from 2015 until 2021. He was known for his vocal criticism of conservatives during his tenure.

Contents

Biography

Kesler was born in Brunswick, Maine, to David Kesler and Amanda Craig. Kesler's father worked as a lawyer at his own firm in Brunswick while Kesler's mother was a liberal political activist. She later became a leading figure in the Maine Green Independent Party after its formation in 1984. As a result of his mother's political activism, Kesler became very involved with liberal causes during his youth. He also interned with his father's law firm during his younger years, but decided practicing law was not what he wished to do with his life.

Kesler attended Bowdoin College for his undergraduate studies, earning a Bachelor's degree in Government and Legal Studies. It was at Bowdoin that Kesler became actively involved with the Maine Democratic Party. He also continued to volunteer and work with liberal causes such as Amnesty International. After Bowdoin, Kesler attended Northeastern University for graduate school where he acquired a Ph.D in Law Policy and Society.

Kesler returned to Maine after acquiring his Ph.D. at Northeastern. Instead of returning to his native Brunswick, Kesler moved to Portland where he began working for the Maine Humanities Council, the Maine branch of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Shortly after starting with the council, Kesler's local Maine State House seat, District 120, became an open race, which prompted Kesler to launch his first political campaign. In the heavily Democratic district, Kesler easily won in 2006. He was subsequently re-elected to his seat in 2008. Kesler continued to work with the Maine Humanities Council while serving in the State House.

Kesler is openly bisexual and is currently in a relationship with Portland lawyer Leslie Chase.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 2010, after Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced she would not seek re-election to the United State House of Representatives, Kesler decided to take a chance and entered the crowded Democratic primary. Kesler claimed victory by a thin margin and then went on to defeat three-time Republican candidate Charlie Summers in 2010. He was re-elected in 2012. Kesler gained notoriety for his campaign to abolish Daylight Saving Time, which successfully came to a vote by the full House, but failed to pass.

Committee Assignments

113th Congress

  • Committee on Appropriations and Government Regulations

112th Congress

  • Committee on the Judiciary

U.S. Senate

After a tumultuous series of failed New England Senate appointments, in 2014, Kesler entered the race and promised to end the rotating door of New England senators by serving his full term if elected. He won the election in November, defeating Republican nominee and Northeast Legislature Minority Leader Rio Payne.

Kesler was recognized a solid liberal in the Democratic Caucus who frequently clashed with Senate conservatives, even those in his own party. Kesler served a full term in the U.S. Senate, but announced he would not seek re-election to the seat, even before the formation of megaregions was agreed upon.

Committee Assignments

116th Congress

  • None

115th Congress

  • Committee on the Judiciary (Vice Chair)
  • Committee on Domestic Affairs

114th Congress

  • Committee on the Judiciary
  • Committee on Domestic Affairs

Post-Senate

Upon leaving the Senate, Kesler began a two-year stint as a visiting professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. He teaches courses on History and Public Policy, Political Analysis for Public Policy-Making, and the Politics of Civic Engagement.

Electoral history

  • 2014 General Election - U.S. Senator for New England, Class II
    • Ross Kesler (D) 53.88%
    • Rio Payne (R) 45.73%
  • 2012 General Election - U.S. Representative for Maine's 1st Congressional District
    • Ross Kesler (D) 61.5%
    • Kay Wescott (R) 38.5%
  • 2010 General Election - U.S. Representative for Maine's 1st Congressional District
  • 2008 General Election - Maine State House, District 120
    • Ross Kesler (D) 51.6%
    • Sandy Amborn (G) 30.2%
    • Peter Doyle (R) 18.1%
  • 2006 General Election - Maine State House, District 120
    • Ross Kesler (D) 56.9%
    • Benjamin Meiklejohn (G) 43.1%
Preceded by
Brea O'Connor 		United States Senator for New England, Class II
2015 - 2021 		Succeeded by
Megaregionalization
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