Garrett Paul Mason (born June 19, 1985) is an American politician from Maine.[1][2] A Republican, Mason formerly served in the Maine State Senate from the 22nd District, representing part of Androscoggin County, including his residence in Lisbon Falls.[3] In 2003, he graduated from Calvary Christian Academy in Turner. In 2006, Mason graduated from Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida with a B.A. in marketing. He also completed graduate work at Southern New Hampshire University and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. After college, Mason worked for the AA baseball team Portland Sea Dogs and as director of administration for the QJMHL hockey team Lewiston Maineiacs.[1] He also received at honorary doctorate in Humanities from Pensacola Christian College in 2018.[citation needed]

Garrett Mason
Majority Leader of the Maine Senate
In office
December 3, 2014 – December 5, 2018
Preceded byTroy Jackson
Succeeded byNate Libby
Member of the Maine Senate
from the 22nd district
In office
December 3, 2014 – December 5, 2018
Preceded byEdward Mazurek
Succeeded byJeffrey Timberlake
Member of the Maine Senate
from the 17th district
In office
December 8, 2010 – December 3, 2014
Preceded byJohn Nutting
Succeeded byThomas Saviello
Personal details
Born (1985-06-19) June 19, 1985 (age 39)
Lewiston, Maine, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationPensacola Christian College (BA)
Southern New Hampshire University
Art Institute of Pittsburgh

In November 2010, Mason defeated incumbent Democrat and Leeds dairy farmer John Nutting. The Maine Republican Party spent $50,000 on television and radio ads against Nutting.[4]

During his first term in the Maine Senate, Mason sponsored a bill to allow charter schools in Maine. It was signed by Governor Paul LePage in June 2011.[5]

Mason was re-elected in 2012 by 28 votes over Democrat Colleen Quint of Minot.[6]

In June 2013, upon news that incumbent Congressman Mike Michaud had taken steps towards running for governor, Mason was said to be "seriously considering a run" for the Republican nomination.[7]

After Republicans took control of the Maine Senate in 2014, Mason was elected Senate Majority Leader, a position he held until he termed out in 2018.

Family

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Mason's mother Gina Mason and their cousin Dale J. Crafts also served in the Maine Legislature. After his mother died in September 2017, his father Rick Mason won a special election to fill her vacant seat.[8][9][10]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Senator Garrett P. Mason". Government of Maine. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Senator Garrett Paul Mason". Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Senator Garrett Mason". Maine Senate. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  4. ^ Hannon, Andie (November 3, 2010). "Mason unseats Nutting for Senate seat". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  5. ^ "LePage signs bill to allow charter schools in Maine". Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  6. ^ "Secretary of State Announces Senate District 17 Recount Results and Schedule for Upcoming Recounts". Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  7. ^ Russell, Eric (June 14, 2013). "If Michaud's seat opens, scramble's on". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  8. ^ "Maine representative passes away unexpectedly". WGME. September 6, 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  9. ^ Cousins, Christopher (February 29, 2016). "Maine Senate leader's mom running for House seat". State & Capitol. Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  10. ^ 'Late Maine lawmaker's husband will succeed her in Lisbon seat,' Bangor Daily News (Maine), Michael Shepherd, November 7, 2017
Maine Senate
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Maine Senate
2014–2018
Succeeded by