about commissioner justin chenette
Justin Chenette is the County Commissioner for Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, & Buxton. He was elected in 2022 with 83% of the vote becoming the first Millennial and only openly LGBTQ individual ever elected to the commission.
As Commissioner, Justin is one of a five-person board overseeing 200+ employees, a $22+ million budget, and representing over 200,000 residents. The commission's jurisdiction and responsibilities include oversight of a 298-bed jail, two of the largest Registries of Probate and Deeds in New England, the District Attorney's Office, a domestic violence program, an addiction treatment recovery center, law enforcement for 14 of our 29 municipalities, and county-wide emergency management.
He was selected by his colleagues to serve as Vice Chair and currently serves as the county rep on the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission. Justin played a pivotal role in historic investments for substance use recovery and first responder training throughout the county with the construction of two state-of-the-art centers.
As Commissioner, Justin is one of a five-person board overseeing 200+ employees, a $22+ million budget, and representing over 200,000 residents. The commission's jurisdiction and responsibilities include oversight of a 298-bed jail, two of the largest Registries of Probate and Deeds in New England, the District Attorney's Office, a domestic violence program, an addiction treatment recovery center, law enforcement for 14 of our 29 municipalities, and county-wide emergency management.
He was selected by his colleagues to serve as Vice Chair and currently serves as the county rep on the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission. Justin played a pivotal role in historic investments for substance use recovery and first responder training throughout the county with the construction of two state-of-the-art centers.
Justin is no stranger to making history. Just before his 17th birthday, Governor Baldacci appointed him to serve on the Maine State Board of Education as the first student board member. There he helped evaluate and approve new school construction projects.
At 21, Justin became the youngest openly gay lawmaker in the entire country and the youngest legislator in Maine. He was sworn into office just a week before graduating from college. Justin went on to become the youngest state senator at age 25 and the only LGBTQ senator at the time. In total, he has served 8 years in the legislature with 2 terms each in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In 2020, Justin was a Democratic candidate for Secretary of State.
At 21, Justin became the youngest openly gay lawmaker in the entire country and the youngest legislator in Maine. He was sworn into office just a week before graduating from college. Justin went on to become the youngest state senator at age 25 and the only LGBTQ senator at the time. In total, he has served 8 years in the legislature with 2 terms each in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In 2020, Justin was a Democratic candidate for Secretary of State.
Collaborative Policymaker. Good Government Watchdog. Community-Driven Leader.
In the Legislature, he chaired the bipartisan Government Oversight Committee, taking a leadership role holding agencies and department heads accountable to ensure effectiveness of programs and to safeguard taxpayer dollars. He served on a number of other committees including Senate Ethics, Environment & Natural Resources, Criminal Justice & Public Safety, Taxation, and the Maine Climate Council’s Coastal & Marine Working Group. He also served as a Maine Citizen Trade Policy Commissioner, advising on the legal and economic impacts of trade agreements on existing laws, working conditions and businesses in Maine.
Justin championed successful legislation that reformed campaign finance laws to reduce money in politics, limited lobbyist influence, strengthened ethics rules around political action committees, and expanded Ranked Choice Voting.
Justin championed successful legislation that reformed campaign finance laws to reduce money in politics, limited lobbyist influence, strengthened ethics rules around political action committees, and expanded Ranked Choice Voting.
Justin currently works to increase public access and transparency in government as a member of the Maine Right to Know Advisory Committee, after being appointed by Senate President Troy Jackson in 2021. He chairs the Remote Participation Sub Committee, making recommendations to improve the state’s Freedom of Access Laws. He was also appointed to serve as a Maine-Canadian Legislative Advisory Commissioner.
Each year, Justin awards college scholarships to graduating high school students through his nonprofit foundation, investing in Maine’s next generation of leaders. Justin is a Thornton Academy Class Agent, member of the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce & Buxton-Hollis Historical Society, and is the past President of Saco Main Street and a former board member of Age Friendly Saco. As founder of the Maine Democracy Project, Justin authored the children’s book The Great Whoopie Pie Debate: A Kids’ Guide to the Maine Legislature and frequently visits classrooms to promote civics education.
Each year, Justin awards college scholarships to graduating high school students through his nonprofit foundation, investing in Maine’s next generation of leaders. Justin is a Thornton Academy Class Agent, member of the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce & Buxton-Hollis Historical Society, and is the past President of Saco Main Street and a former board member of Age Friendly Saco. As founder of the Maine Democracy Project, Justin authored the children’s book The Great Whoopie Pie Debate: A Kids’ Guide to the Maine Legislature and frequently visits classrooms to promote civics education.
While in college, he was selected to be a national delegate for President Obama to the 2012 Democratic National Convention, worked as a congressional intern for U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, and interned at Saco City Hall and Equality Maine. He re-established Maine Young Democrats, serving as its president for two years, and currently serves on the Maine Democratic State Committee.
Justin got his start in journalism working for various media outlets. He is best known for his role managing TATV Channel 3 and hosting his own statewide public affairs show on WPXT/WPME, Youth in Politics. He also served on the Society of Professional Journalists National Diversity Committee. He later worked in digital advertising at the Journal Tribune and various marketing roles. He currently works as the Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement for a statewide mental health organization and has operated a public relations consulting firm since 2013. Justin has also been a newspaper columnist for well over a decade.
Justin got his start in journalism working for various media outlets. He is best known for his role managing TATV Channel 3 and hosting his own statewide public affairs show on WPXT/WPME, Youth in Politics. He also served on the Society of Professional Journalists National Diversity Committee. He later worked in digital advertising at the Journal Tribune and various marketing roles. He currently works as the Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement for a statewide mental health organization and has operated a public relations consulting firm since 2013. Justin has also been a newspaper columnist for well over a decade.
Justin has been recognized nationally by The Advocate magazine on their list of the 40 Under 40 most accomplished leaders and recognized within the state making Mainebiz's list of 40 Under 40 next generation of state leaders. Two sitting U.S. Presidents have honored his volunteer work as the recipient of the Volunteer Service Award; in 2008, by President Bush, and in 2016, by President Obama. He also received both the Governor’s Exemplary Service Award in 2009 and a Mayoral Certificate of Service for his leadership in the community in 2020.
Justin is a proud product of Saco schools and graduated high school from Thornton Academy, while taking night classes through the University of Southern Maine. He earned a degree in Broadcast News from Vermont State University (formerly Lyndon State College) and was named their Outstanding Young Alumni in 2019. Justin went on to earn a Post-Baccalaureate Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.
Justin is a proud product of Saco schools and graduated high school from Thornton Academy, while taking night classes through the University of Southern Maine. He earned a degree in Broadcast News from Vermont State University (formerly Lyndon State College) and was named their Outstanding Young Alumni in 2019. Justin went on to earn a Post-Baccalaureate Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.
He lives in Saco with his husband Eduard and their two cats Precious & Mr. Biscuits.