Madison Ballentine
From Usgs
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| New England Senator - Class 2 | ||||
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| In Office: 2023 - present Serves alongside: Robert Adams | ||||
| Preceded by | Bradley Abbott | |||
| Succeeded by | Incumbent | |||
| Born | 9 September 1984 Marietta, Georgia | |||
| Political Party | Democratic | |||
| Spouse | None | |||
| Religion | Undeclared | |||
Contents |
Early History
Madison Ballentine was born and grew up in Marietta, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. His childhood was relatively average, growing up in an upper-middle class household consisting of his parents and his younger brother, Cameron. During his teenage years, Madison grew to despise the city he was raised in, eventually leading to his leaving Georgia and Dixie entirely. Ballentine has noted on the campaign trial that he grew up in a family with guns, and is both comfortable with and proficient in their use.
Education
Ballentine focused strongly on his studies, attending Sprayberry High School and winning a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally majoring in Geography, he switched after a semester to Medicine, Health, and Society and a minor in Biological Sciences, with firm pre-medicine intent. After graduating cum laude, he enrolled at the Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts.
Médecins Sans Frontières
After finishing medical school, Ballentine did not follow the traditional path of completing residency in a hospital or similar facility. Instead, he joined Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in a new field-residency program and was assigned to Nigeria. After completing his residency, he remained with MSF as a full-time relief physician. Ballentine occasionally references his time in MSF as a formative experience, although he is generally uncomfortable discussing many specific incidents from the program.
Political Career
After returning to the United States, Ballentine settled in Portland, Maine and began preparations to start a private practice. However, a friend advised him that the incumbent Democratic Congressman was retiring and, out of a desire to further serve, he entered the race, winning a crowded primary and the general election. Only two months later, upon the resignation of New England Senator Bradley Abbot, Governor James Stewart chose Ballentine to fill the vacant Senate seat for the remainder of the session. The next year, he ran for a full six-year term and defeated Maine Congressman and former Speaker of the House Oliver Perry, winning the race by only percent.
While in the Senate, Ballentine has served on the Judiciary and Domestic Affairs Committees.
| Preceded by Bradley Abbott | Senator (Class 2) from New England 2023 - present Serves alongside: Robert Adams | Succeeded by Incumbent |
