John Baldacci

John Elias Baldacci ( born January 30, 1955 in Bangor, Maine ) is an American politician (Democratic Party). He is a former Governor of the State of Maine.

Early years and political rise

John Baldacci attended until 1973, the Bangor High School. Then he studied at the University of Maine history. In addition to this degree, he worked with in Bangor in his family restaurant. Between 1978 and 1981, Baldacci was in the City Council of Bangor. From 1982 to 1994 he sat in the Senate of Maine, before he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington. In 2002 he was elected as a Democratic candidate for the new governor of Maine.

Governor of Maine

From January 2003 to January 2011 was Governor Baldacci of Maine. In 2006, he was confirmed by the voters of his state with a large majority in this office: He received 73 percent of the vote, his Republican opponent Richard Campbell 27 percent. Baldacci fought the national debt by reducing spending and by increasing certain fees. He planned an immediate education reform and made ​​an effort to improve healthcare. In May 2009, he signed the law legalizing same-sex marriage in Maine; so he was the first governor of any state, the procedure was so without a corresponding court order had been issued previously. Baldacci could not run again and handed his office on 5 January 2011 at the Republican Paul LePage in 2010. He is married to Karen M. Baldacci, the couple has a son.

2008 presidential campaign

In the Democratic presidential primaries to Baldacci up behind Hillary Clinton, although the majority of Maine Barack Obama supported. After giving Clinton in June 2008, he supported as a super delegate Obama.