Maine Lawmakers to Choose Next Attorney General in December

Maine state legislators will decide who serves as the next attorney general on December 2. The two leading candidates are Sen. Anne Carney, a Democrat from Cape Elizabeth, and Tim Shannon, a lawyer from Yarmouth. They are vying to replace Aaron Frey, who will leave the office this year after serving since 2018.

Carney, 63, has served in the state Senate since 2020. She is currently meeting with Democratic lawmakers who expanded their majorities in last week's midterm elections. In a Friday email, Carney described her effort to build a coalition that reflects the statewide nature of the job. She stated that she is talking with legislators individually to earn their votes. Carney emphasized that the state needs an attorney general ready to defend constitutional rights from the first day in office.

Shannon, 54, is taking a different approach, focusing on his potential opposition to the Trump administration. In a Monday phone interview, he called the current administration a threat to the country and the state. He said he has received strong support from the Democratic lawmakers he has spoken with. Shannon listed specific targets for his office, including consumer protection, social media companies with addictive algorithms, and corporate polluters. He noted that he found a receptive audience for these issues among his legislative contacts.

The selection process in Maine is unique in the United States. The 186-member Legislature selects the attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, and state auditor through a joint session vote. This method distinguishes the state from others where voters or the governor choose these officials. The vote will take place on December 2, shortly after the new crop of lawmakers takes office.

The office holds broad legal powers. The attorney general represents the state in court, prosecutes major crimes, and provides legal opinions to the governor and other agencies. Aaron Frey, a former representative from Bangor, earned $227,050 in the previous year. The role has become increasingly active in recent years, with the office joining multi-state lawsuits to challenge federal actions. The next candidate may also inherit an ongoing investigation into a deadly July shooting involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Biddeford.

Both candidates bring legal and political experience to the race. Carney previously practiced civil rights and employment law in Portland and served as a volunteer attorney for Pine Tree Legal Assistance. In the Senate, she chaired the Judiciary Committee and sponsored legislation addressing public defense challenges. Shannon works in intellectual property litigation and served on the Yarmouth Town Council from 2018 to 2024. He ran for the position in 2018 but lost to Frey after a multi-ballot contest. Other constitutional officers, including Treasurer Joe Perry and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, are seeking re-election without current challengers.