Chellie Pingree

Chellie Pingree

U.S. House, Maine- District 1

  • An open seat victory
  • An experienced leader on ethics and reform
  • A dedicated advocate for change

See election results

About Chellie Pingree

An open seat opportunity

When Democratic Rep. Tom Allen decided to give up his Democratic-leaning House seat to run for the U.S. Senate, Chellie Pingree, a former state senator, quickly announced she would run. On June 10, she triumphed over a crowded primary field to win the Democratic nomination by 15 points. Her 55-45 percent general victory shows Maine is ready for the new leadership Pingree offers.

A courageous, charismatic candidate

Pingree got involved in politics at the local level, first as a member of the town planning board, then as tax assessor of North Haven, a small town 12 miles off the coast of Maine. She decided to run for the state Senate in 1992 after hearing former Colorado Rep. Pat Schroeder say, “Good people don’t want to run for office anymore.” Pingree defeated a popular Republican incumbent and served for eight years, including four as majority leader.

A committed advocate


Pingree, who resigned her post as president of Common Cause to run, is a national leader on ethics and reform. And, as majority leader of the Maine Senate, she took on the pharmaceutical industry and won, creating Maine Rx to make prescription drugs more affordable. She'll take that same work ethic and commitment when she represents the first district in Washington.

November 9, 2009

Pingree returns to Maine after casting health care vote

wcsh6

Pingree returns to Maine after casting health care vote

Fresh off of casting her vote in favor of the House health care reform bill, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree got a rousing welcome home at the Portland Jetport Sunday morning.

A group of supporters with the liberal organization "Change That Works" greeted Pingree with signs, balloons and cookies to thank her for her vote.

Pingree said the bill passed by the House Saturday night was flawed, but she's proud of the way it vastly expands health care coverage, ensures those with pre-existing conditions can get health insurance, and removes the donut hole from the medicare prescription drug benefit.

Read more

November 9, 2009

Pingree touts rebate for Energy Star appliances

SeacoastOnline

U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is encouraging Maine citizens to take advantage of a program that offers cash rebates for purchasing energy-efficient Energy Star appliances.

Administered by the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the program was launched Oct. 1 in Maine, and will be supported by stimulus funds.

Read more

September 20, 2009

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree calls for no-cost transfer of former Brunswick Naval Air Station land

Maine Democratic Party

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree calls for no-cost transfer of former Brunswick Naval Air Station land

Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have joined Congresswoman Chellie Pingree to support passage of a provision in the Defense Authorization Bill that would make a substantial contribution to the redevelopment of the Brunswick Naval Air Station. Congressman Mike Michaud and nearly a dozen other Representatives signed Pingree's letter to the House-Senate negotiators working on a final version ofthe bill.

Earlier this year Pingree introduced a bill (H.R. 1959, the "Defense Communities Redevelopment Act of 2009") that instructed the government to transfer land at decommissioned military bases to the community at no cost if there is a significant economic benefit. Over the last eight years, the Department of Defense has required communities to pay for the land-sometimes millions of dollars-and that has resulted in many parcels going unused after a base is closed.

Read more