Diane Russell

For the NYPD Blue character, see Diane Russell (NYPD Blue).
Diane Russell
Member of the Maine House of Representatives for the 120th District
Assumed office
December 3, 2008
Preceded by Anne Rand
Personal details
Born (1976-08-09) August 9, 1976
Bryant Pond, Maine
Political party Democratic
Residence Portland, Maine
Alma mater University of Southern Maine
Profession Public relations consultant

Diane Marie Russell (born August 9, 1976) is an American politician who serves in the Maine House of Representatives. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Political career

When Russell first ran for the State House in 2008, she was working as a cashier at a local convenience store.[1] She currently serves on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee and the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.[2][3] Russell has sponsored a bill that would fully legalize and tax the sale of marijuana.[4]

In 2011, The Nation magazine named her "Most Valuable State Representative" on its annual Progressive Honor Roll.[5]

In 2011, Russell introduced a bill to legalize marijuana in Maine. The bill, LD 1453, was voted down in committee (3-8) in March[6] and down by the House of Representatives in June.[7]

After being re-elected in 2012, Russell again introduced a similar bill to legalize marijuana in 2013. It is co-sponsored by Republican Rep. Aaron Libby.[8]

In November 2012, Russell unsuccessfully sought the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives position, losing out in a Democratic Party caucus vote to Mark Eves of York County.[9]

In 2016, Russell, who was barred by Maine's term limits law from running again for her House seat, ran for a seat in the Maine Senate, and lost in the Democratic primary election, coming in third among the three candidates despite having raised and spent several times more than either of her opponents.[10]

Personal life

Russell is a native of Woodstock, Maine, and is a graduate of Leavitt Area High School.[11] She received a B.A. in media studies from the University of Southern Maine.[11] She has also worked as a public relations consultant.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "From Behind the Counter: A Different View of the 47%". huffingtonpost.com. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  2. ↑ "Representative Diane Marie Russell's Biography". votesmart.org. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "Diane Russell". maine.gov. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  4. ↑ Byrne, Matt; Hoey, Dennis. "Maine lawmaker seeks to legalize marijuana". pressherald.com. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  5. ↑ "The Progressive Honor Roll of 2011". thenation.com. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  6. ↑ Haskell, Meg (March 14, 2011). "Lawmakers vote down marijuana legalization but ease access to medical pot". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  7. ↑ Miller, Kevin (June 14, 2011). "House votes against fully legalizing pot". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  8. ↑ Cousins, Christopher (February 21, 2013). "Democratic and Republican legislators unite on bill to legalize and tax marijuana". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  9. ↑ Carkhuff, David (November 14, 2012). "Russell vies for Speaker of the House post; Alfond tapped in Senate". Portland Daily Sun. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  10. ↑ http://www.pressherald.com/2016/06/14/chipman-has-early-lead-in-portland-senate-primary-race/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. 1 2 3 "Diane Russell". emergemaine.org. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
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