BIDDEFORD — Incumbent State Representative Erin Sheehan, a Democrat, seeks re-election to the Maine State House against Republican Timothy Keenan, in House District 132, which includes part of Biddeford. If victorious, it will be the second time she’s bested her opponent. The two went toe-to-toe in the previous legislative election when Sheehan, won her first term in the Maine House of Representatives. They ran for Maine House District 12, which after reapportionment became HD 132.

Erin Sheehan

Sheehan, 47, is married and is business partners with her husband, Carson. They own Lorne, a wine shop in downtown Biddeford, which they opened 2019, and own and opened Sacred Profane Brewery and Tankpub, also in Biddeford, this past September. The Biddeford resident earned a bachelor’s degree in Geography from Clark University.

Erin is serving her first term in Maine’s House of Representatives. She served on the Judiciary Committee and was appointed to a commission studying the administration of Maine’s Probate Courts. She sits on a commission studying how to best guarantee Mainers’ constitutionally protected contact with legal counsel.

Sheehan, in an email, said if re-elected her top priorities include: affordable housing, ensuring Mainers’ reproductive rights, voting rights and protecting residents from discrimination.

“As a Biddeford renter and business owner,” Sheehan said, “housing affordability is my number one concern. The rental market is so tight that families are being priced out of our City. In my first term, I’m proud to have supported initiatives that facilitate the rehabilitation of compromised properties, that foster development of new units, make it easier for Biddeford seniors to age in place, and for our kids to move back to Biddeford to start their own careers and families. More work needs to be done to keep Biddeford living affordable, and I’m here for that.”

“I’m also committed to ensuring that government does not intrude upon Mainers’ right to decide their own reproductive futures, including decisions about if and when to commit their lives to parenthood,” she said.
I believe these decisions are private and best made in the context of families, communities, and between providers and patients. As a legislator, I voted for measures that protected the right to abortion services and increased access to reproductive care more broadly.”

“Another top priority is protecting Mainers’ voting rights,” Sheehan said. “This means supporting election laws that guarantee equal access to the ballot box while safeguarding election security and integrity.”

In addition, she said, “my time on the Judiciary committee has given me the opportunity to support legislation protecting Mainers from discrimination based on race, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, socioeconomic status, and national origin. This will continue to be a top priority of mine.”

Sheehan said should be re-elected because, “I love our City. As an owner of two downtown businesses, my livelihood is inextricably tied to the well-being of my neighbors and constituents. I’m here to do my part to keep Biddeford affordable, vibrant, and accessible to all — housing, economic opportunity, and reliable transportation are needed to attract and retain the talented workers that all businesses rely on, as well as to ensure that our neighbors have secure housing, employment, and the discretionary income to enjoy dinner out with family, friends, and co-workers.”

“My experience in the legislature and in Biddeford’s business community has connected me with a wide range of advocates and experts who help me connect my constituents and neighbors to the services and advice they need,” Sheehan said. “I ran for office to serve every single constituent in my district. I listen hard to others before speaking or taking a position, and I take seriously concerns expressed by my colleagues and constituents regardless of party affiliation.”

Timothy Keenan

Republican Keenan has not responded to numerous attempts to reach him. The 65-year-old, Biddeford resident ran and lost against Sheehan in November 2020. According to a Courier article printed prior to that race, Keenan, who is divorced, earned a bachelor’s degree from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1978.

He said if elected, he would “re-focus education to provide a broader emphasis on skills. Commit more resources to improve public transportation. Control spending by reducing State payroll and better prioritizing programs.”