Margaret Craven (politician)

Margaret Craven (born 1944) is an American politician from Maine.[1] Craven served as a Democratic State Senator from Maine's 16th District, representing Lewiston. She was first elected to office in 2002, when she won a seat in the Maine House of Representatives. She served in the House from 2002 to 2008, when she was elected to the Maine State Senate. She was re-elected in 2010 and 2012.[1] In February 2014, Craven announced her retirement from Maine politics following the 2014 election, citing the need to take care of her ailing husband.[2]

Margaret Craven
Maine House of Representatives
Assumed office
December 5, 2018
Preceded byRoger Fuller
In office
December 4, 2002 – December 3, 2008
Succeeded byMargaret Rotundo
Maine Senate
In office
December 3, 2008 – December 3, 2014
Preceded byMargaret Rotundo
Succeeded byNate Libby
Personal details
Born1944 (age 76–77)
Galway, Republic of Ireland
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Jim Craven (d. 2017)
ProfessionCommunity activist

In 2018, after her husband's death, Craven announced her candidacy for the Maine House of Representatives in the 59th district.[3] She won the uncontested Democratic primary in June, and defeated her Republican opponent in the November general election.

Personal

Craven was born into an impoverished family of 11 in Galway, Republic of Ireland; her father worked odd jobs and her mother was a housewife.[4] Craven moved to Boston, Massachusetts in the 1961 at the age of 17 and worked as a housekeeper. She eventually returned to Ireland, only to move back to New England after feeling a sense of not belonging. She moved to Maine, earned a high school diploma, bachelor's and master's degrees and began work with the disabled and senior citizens. She was convinced to run in 2002 by the outgoing state representative.[4][5] She has two children, Walter Matthew and TJ.[1]

References
  1. "Senator Margaret M. Craven (ME)". Retrieved 16 October 2011.
  2. LaFlamme, Mark (February 13, 2014). "Sen. Craven announces her retirement". Sun Journal. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  3. "Margaret Craven to run for House district seat in Lewiston". Lewiston Sun Journal. 2018-02-07. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  4. Alaimo, Jessica (March 17, 2007). "Craven: From Ireland to Maine's State House". Lewiston Sun Journal. pp. A1–A6. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
  5. "Home thoughts from abroad". Galway Advertiser. MaineIrish.com. October 30, 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2011.


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