Elizabeth (Libby) H. Mitchell was unanimously elected as Maine’s 113th Senate President on December 3, 2008. She has the distinct honor of being the first woman in America to serve as both the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. Senator Mitchell represents Senate District 24, which includes Augusta, China, Oakland, Sidney and Vassalboro.
A resident of Vassalboro, Senator Mitchell was first elected to the Maine Legislature in 1974. Her legislative service includes nine terms in the House and three in the Senate. During her time in the legislature she has been a tireless advocate for education; successfully championing legislation to improve Maine’s K-12 and higher education systems and sponsoring first in the nation legislation that used state funding to expand the Head Start program.
On opening day of the 124th Legislature, President Mitchell set a tone for the session by calling on everyone, regardless of party, to work together to increase opportunity for Maine people by creating jobs, expanding access to health care, improving the quality of our education system, and moving the state towards energy sustainability.
In addition to serving her community in the Legislature, Libby has served three terms on the Vassalboro Board of Selectmen. She also serves on the board of Maine General Health, Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education, New England Board of Higher Education and Jobs for Maine Graduates. She served seven years on the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, chairing the board for four years. She has also served on the board of Kennebec Health Association, Home Resources of Maine, Kennebec Valley Medical Center, Oak Grove-Coburn School and as director of the Maine Homeless Coalition.
Libby and her husband Jim live in Vassalboro. They are the proud parents of four children (J. Elizabeth, Will, Charlie and Emily) and six grandchildren.
