Margaret Craven | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Maine House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office December 7, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Valli Geiger |
| Constituency | 93rd district |
| In office December 5, 2018 – December 7, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Roger Fuller |
| Succeeded by | Raegan LaRochelle |
| Constituency | 59th district |
| In office December 4, 2002 – December 3, 2008 | |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Rotundo |
| Constituency | 59th district |
| Member of the Maine Senate from the 16th district | |
| In office December 3, 2008 – December 3, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Margaret Rotundo |
| Succeeded by | Nate Libby |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1944 (age 79–80) Galway, Republic of Ireland |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Jim Craven (died, 2017) |
| Profession | Community activist, 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]
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[edit]
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[edit]
- ^ a b c "Senator Margaret M. Craven (ME)". Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ LaFlamme, Mark (February 13, 2014). "Sen. Craven announces her retirement". Sun Journal. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ^ "Margaret Craven to run for House district seat in Lewiston". Lewiston Sun Journal. 2018-02-07. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
- ^ a b Alaimo, Jessica (March 17, 2007). "Craven: From Ireland to Maine's State House". Lewiston Sun Journal. pp. A1–A6. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ "Home thoughts from abroad". Galway Advertiser. MaineIrish.com. October 30, 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2011.