Back in 2012, then-State Rep. Craig Hickman of Maine became the first openly gay Black man elected to the state’s legislature. After serving four terms in the House, Hickman was sworn in to his first term as a state Senator, becoming the first Black man to serve in both of Maine’s legislative chambers.
But as Sen. Hickman points out, such historic firsts are not the point.
“When I first was elected, I remember saying that the voters pretty much have proven that it doesn’t matter what you look (like) or who you love, or how you walk or talk,” he told the Kennebec Journal. “It only matters what you do. I just live that all day, every day.”
Reports the Journal:
In polling across 11 cities and towns, Hickman, who lives in Winthrop, earned 62.5% of the vote in the Maine Senate District 14 special election, winning all but two towns.
Republican William Guerrette, 61, earned 37.45% of the vote, winning Pittston, where he lives, and West Gardiner.
In terms of vote totals, Hickman earned 5,248 votes and Guerrette earned 3,136 [nearly two thirds of the votes]. …
“It’s always humbling for people to say yes to you and give you their vote,” he said, adding his thanks to the people who supported him in the race.
Hickman, who lives in Winthrop, Maine on an organic farm with his husband, Jop Blom, was also the delegate chosen to announce Maine’s votes for Joe Biden in the Democratic National Convention televised roll call last summer. One delegate from each state and territory pledged their votes via a live video feed, broadcast across the country and around the world.
When it came Maine’s turn, there was Rep. Hickman, telling millions of television viewers, “My American Dream? I’m living it! A 25-acre organic farm by the lake, a roadside produce stand, and a bed & breakfast. My husband and I aren’t corporate tycoons, we just want to make an honest living and feed our community.”
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