AUGUSTA—Senator Dave Miramant, D-Camden, and Erin Herbig, D-Belfast, were sworn into the Maine Senate at the State House in Augusta today. Sen. Miramant was re-elected to his third term in the State Senate in November while Herbig begins her first term as a senator.

“Being sworn-in to serve the people of Knox County in the Maine Senate for another term is an honor,” said Sen. Miramant, in a news release. “I look forward to making real progress for the people of the state of Maine.” 

Chief Justice Leigh Saufley administered the oath of office to 33 senators, all of whom have been elected to serve two-year terms. Herbig represents Waldo County in Senate District 11 and Miramant, Knox County, in District 12.

“Having grown up in Waldo County, I couldn’t be more honored or proud to represent my family, friends and neighbors in the Maine Senate,” said Sen. Herbig, in a release. “In my hometown of Belfast, we’ve experienced economic struggles with industries and workers leaving the state. But we’ve also been able to embrace new economic opportunities that have come our way. This session, I will continue to fight for an economy that both prioritizes our heritage industries and provides new industries with room to grow.”

Herbig was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010, where she served four terms, including two as House Chair of the Legislature’s Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee and one term as House Majority Leader.

Sen. Herbig lives in Belfast with her husband Joe and their two children, Anna and Charles.

Miramant lives in Camden with his wife, Dee Webster, with whom he has two adult children. He is a retired airline pilot and captain, and currently owns and operates Spirit Soaring Glider Rides. During his time in the Legislature, Miramant has been active in pursuing clean, alternative energy options.

“For too long, we have not taken the bold steps needed to make Maine a leader in new energy alternatives,” said Sen. Miramant. “We have a real chance to move forward on smart solar energy policies that will create jobs right here in Maine and provide a clean energy source for the people of our state.”
 
Of the 35 senators, there are 21 Democrats and 14 Republicans. Twelve are women and 23 are men. There are 13 new members: 11 have recently served in the House of Representatives and two have no previous legislative experience. Twenty-two members are incumbents.

The Legislature will reconvene at the start of the new year.