AUGUSTA, Maine — Democratic Rep. Mike Shaw of Standish resigned from the Legislature on Friday, citing professional and personal reasons.
Shaw, who is in the middle of his fourth term as a state representative, said in a resignation letter to House Speaker Mark Eves that he is moving to Freeport because his employer, Amtrak Downeaster, will locate its headquarters closer to that town.
“A move out of Standish is the right choice for my family,” Shaw said in a written statement. “I felt it was best that I vacate the seat as soon as possible so that the residents of the district will have the opportunity to fill the seat before the Legislature reconvenes in January.”
Shaw said he enjoyed working directly with constituents and said his efforts in that area led to a bill he sponsored, naming the bridge over the Saco River on Route 11 in Standish the Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Shaw served on the Legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee for his entire tenure in the Legislature, including as its chairman for the past three years.
“We wish Rep. Shaw the best of luck in his future endeavors, but are sorry to see him go,” House Majority Leader Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, said. “He has been a strong voice for working families, economic opportunity and outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen.”
Shaw’s District 23 seat, which represents part of Standish, will be filled in a special election, the date of which will be set by Gov. Paul LePage. A special election already is scheduled for Nov. 3 to fill the seat of the late Rep. William Noon, D-Sanford, who died in July.
Shaw won the 2014 election by a tally of 1,903 votes to 1,708 for Republican Lester Ordway and 318 for Green Independent Michael Wakefield.
The balance of power in the House is 77 Democrats, 67 Republicans, four independents and two unenrolled members.
