Alexander Willette

Alexander Reginald Willette (born April 2, 1989) is an American politician from Maine.[3] In 2010, the Republican Willette was elected to represent District 7 in the Maine House of Representatives, covering much of central Aroostook County including part of the city of Presque Isle. He served as the Assistant Republican Leader, and, during his time in the Legislature, was both the youngest member of legislative leadership in Maine's history and the youngest in the United States.

Alexander R. Willette
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
from the 7th district
In office
December 2010 – September 4, 2014
Preceded byPatricia Sutherland[1]
Succeeded byDustin Michael White[2]
Personal details
Born
Alexander Reginald Willette

(1989-04-02) April 2, 1989
Presque Isle, Maine
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Melissa Lacroix
ResidenceMapleton, Maine
EducationUniversity of Maine at Farmington (B.A.)
University of Maine School of Law (J.D.)
ProfessionReal estate broker, Attorney, Army Officer
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Maine Army National Guard
Years of service2017-Present
RankCaptain
Unit120th Regional Support Group

Early life and education

He was born in Presque Isle, Maine and lives Mapleton, Maine. A graduate of Presque Isle High School, Willette earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Maine at Farmington in May 2011. He has a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maine School of Law.[4]

Career

Maine House of Representatives

Elections

In 2010, he decided to run for Maine's 7th House district based in Aroostook County. He was the Republican nominee and defeated Democrat nominee Troy Haines 54%-46%. He became the youngest person to ever win an election for the Maine House of Representatives.[5] In 2012, he won re-election to a second term, defeating Haines again, 52%-48%.[6]

Tenure

The district includes 10 towns: Castle Hill, Chapman, Hammond, Littleton, Mapleton, Masardis, Monticello, Wade, Washburn, and Oxbow. In addition, it also includes part of the city of Presque isle and unorganized territory of Central Aroostook.

He was also the House Chairman of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council for the 125th Legislature. In the next session, he was elected as Assistant Minority Leader of the House GOP leadership.

In his first term in the Maine House, he sponsored a resolution which passed raising the speed limit on I-95 between Houlton, Maine and Old Town, Maine.[7]

He resigned his seat on September 4, 2014, stating that his work on Governor Paul LePage's reelection campaign has rendered him unable to adequately represent his district. [8]

Committee assignments
  • Leaves of Absence
  • Rules and Business
  • Transportation
  • Veterans and Legal Affairs[9]

2014 congressional election

On July 1, 2013, Willette announced he would run for the open Maine's 2nd congressional district seat, after incumbent congressman Mike Michaud announced he would run for governor,[10][11] though he suspended his campaign on August 28, 2013.[12]

State of Maine

In 2014 he served as Director of Communications and Coalitions for Paul LePage's Campaign for Governor.[13]

From 2014 to 2015 he served as Director of Legislative Affairs and Communications for the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services.[13]

From 2015 to 2019 he served as an Assistant District Attorney in the State of Maine.[13]

Other activities

From 2008 to 2018 he was an Associate Broker for Big Bear Real Estate.[13]

From 2013 to 2019 he served as a member of the Republican National Committee representing the State of Maine.[13]

Military service

He joined the Maine Army National Guard in May of 2017.[13]

Currently as a Captain, he served as a State Trial Defense Counsel.[13] Previously he had served As the Assistant Brigade Judge Advocate for the 120th Regional Support Group in Bangor, Maine.[13]

Trump administration

He joined the Trump administration in 2019.[13]

Since April of 2019 he has served as a Special Assistant To The President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for Outreach in the Executive Office of the President.[13]

Personal life

Willette is married to Melissa Willette and they live in Mapleton. He is a Master Mason with the Trinity lodge. He is an Eagle Scout with Troop 170 in Mapleton and 171 in Presque Isle.[14]

His father, Michael Willette, served in the Maine House of Representatives from 2008-2012, representing District 5 in Presque Isle.

References
  1. Patricia Sutherland bio, maine.gov. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  2. Dustin Michael White bio, maine.gov. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  3. "Representative Alexander Willette Political Summary - Project Vote Smart". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  4. Meet Rep. Alex Willette Maine.gov
  5. "ME State House 007 Race". Our Campaigns. November 2, 2010. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  6. "ME State House 007 Race". Our Campaigns. November 6, 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  7. Summary of LD 1557 MaineLegislature.org
  8. "Assistant House Republican leader resigns from seat after taking job with LePage campaign". Bangor Daily News. September 4, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  9. "Alexander Willette". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  10. "GOP leader Alexander Willette, 24, says he is a candidate for Maine's 2nd Congressional District". Bangor Daily News. July 1, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  11. Cousins, Christopher (June 13, 2013). "Congressional wannabes begin lining up in 2nd District". Bangor Daily News.
  12. "Republican Willette ends bid to replace Michaud in Congress". Kennebec Journal. August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  13. LinkedIn Profile
  14. Alexander Reginald Willette bio Maine.gov
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