Keeping True North : Justin Chenette ’ 09
As she retires from politics , Maine State Senator Linda Valentino ’ 74 pointed toward her mentorship of another alum , Representative Justin Chenette ’ 09 ( Lyndon State College ’ 12 ), as contributing to the legacy of her political career . Lauded as the youngest member of the Maine House of Representatives and a two-time recipient of the ( U . S .) President ’ s Volunteer Service Award , Chenette is a Democratic member of the Maine House of Representatives for District 15 representing the City of Saco who has a very clear sense of the link between politics and responsibility . As a sitting Representative , Chenette is running for Senator Valentino ’ s office . I asked his opinion of the general political climate in this election year .
Rep . Chenette at the State House after the Secretary of State certified his petitions to officially enter the State Senate race .
BY PATRICIA ERIKSON
Chenette said , “ In one sense , this is an extraordinary election year , but in another sense , it ’ s not unlike previous ones . We still have people frustrated with how things are going at all levels . People want to see action . I don ’ t blame them . I get frustrated , too . We live in an era of Snapchat and Instagram ; we expect things instantaneously . There is frustration inside government , too , seeing how it moves so slowly . The processes get in the way of progress . Government is not the most streamlined , nor the most effective . In an environment where authenticity is a hard trait to find , politicians must be open and honest . Transparency in how you do businesses not only leads to better accountability , but also an increased understanding of how governing works . Thirty second sound bites don ’ t do that . The prism of the sound bite leads to an appearance of fakeness . You can send out a mailer , but you don ’ t really get to know that person . It ’ s easy to see the superficial .”
I asked Representative Chenette to describe more about the importance of transparency and authenticity to him in his career . He said , “ I have always had to rise to the occasion and stick to my true self . Politics lacks that so much . People yearn to know that you understand and that you have their back . My own personal journey has helped me be inclusive and get more people to the table . Maine is tight knit . We know each other . Thornton Academy is a microcosm of that . You can run into a TA alum anywhere in the world . No matter what , something unites us . There ’ s always a way to connect and unite with another , to find mutual respect .
“ There ’ s a spectrum in politics for why people are in politics . Everyone cares , but there ’ s a spectrum . You could be the best legislator in Augusta , but if people don ’ t know what you ’ re doing , it ’ s not going to work . How I spend my time working with people , it shows my character . It bubbles to the surface . It matters to people what they can tangibly see . Show them what you care about through your actions . We need to roll up our sleeves and help inspire people . We need to involve people in the process . We need to cultivate that communication and community , not for superficial reasons , but because we can work toward a better outcome .”
Political service requires withstanding a lot of pressures . Representative Chenette described how he keeps his sense of true North , “ Why would I want to be a public servant in the face of personal attacks against me , the negativity , and the exposure of my family ? There are so many negative check marks against serving in politics . But if you believe in missions , you can create change . I ’ m driven to create that potential change . I believe in positive outcomes in peoples ’ lives . The more who are elected who feel this way , the better .
“ We have responsibility as officials to stand up for people , even if doing so impacts you negatively . I ’ m most proud of the comprehensive campaign finance and PAC reform . I ’ ve been talking about this issue for years . I had to go against my party leadership and it made waves . Lobbyists have greater access . I held firm . I thought , people elected me for this and I ’ m going to do it . Finally , I got concessions to close a loophole in the clean elections system . You should not be able to be “ clean ,” but also collect thousands from a PAC . We passed this law that applies to the campaign fundraising mode , but now we need to close the next loophole that applies to sitting legislators e . g ., accepting money for a pharmaceutical firm that you ’ re regulating . I ’ m proud of this work .
“ Elected officials have the responsibility to help people . There ’ s a reason to run , a reason to serve , and a reason to enact laws . If that ’ s not the objective of
being a politician , you should not be in politics .”
“ Elected officials have the responsibility to help people . There ’ s a reason to run , a reason to serve , and a reason to enact laws . If that ’ s not the objective of being a politician , you should not be in politics . That ’ s what public service is . We ’ ve confused the negative , the smearing , the partisanship with ‘ politics .’ All of that gives a bad impression of government . Combining that with the lack of tangible results , people ask : is responsibility being upheld ? People need to know that elected officials care . You don ’ t have to have a title to make a difference . You can still be passionate . Being in the military , working in a soup kitchen , and teaching are also ways to make a difference . Treat people with respect . Our human experience is shared .”
Those interested in following Representative Chenette ’ s volunteer service can find him at : http :// www . sacobaycenter . org /
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