Sara Gideon

Sara Gideon is an American politician and former businesswoman who served as the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020. A member of the Democratic Party, she represented parts of Freeport and Pownal in the Maine House of Representatives and was the party's nominee in the 2020 U.S. Senate election in Maine. Gideon's political career has been defined by her focus on healthcare, education, and economic issues within the state legislature.

Early life and education

Sara Gideon was born in Rhode Island to an Armenian-American father and an Indian-American mother who immigrated to the United States from Kolkata. She was raised in East Greenwich and attended local public schools before pursuing higher education. Gideon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International relations from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she was actively involved in student government. Following her graduation, she worked in the Silicon Valley for a technology startup before relocating to Maine with her family in 2004, settling in the town of Freeport.

Political career

Gideon's political involvement began with local service, including on the Freeport Town Council, where she eventually served as chair. In 2014, she was elected to represent the 106th district in the Maine House of Representatives, succeeding Jane Eberle. Her tenure in the legislature was marked by rapid advancement; following the 2016 elections, her Democratic colleagues elected her as the 101st Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, making her the second woman to hold the position. As Speaker, she prioritized bipartisan legislation addressing the opioid crisis, increased funding for public education, and supported policies to lower the cost of prescription drugs. She worked closely with then-Governor Paul LePage and his successor, Janet Mills, on state budgets and key initiatives.

2020 U.S. Senate election

In June 2019, Gideon announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in the 2020 election. She won a competitive primary against contenders including Betsy Sweet and Bre Kidman. The general election became one of the most expensive and closely watched Senate races in the country, drawing significant national attention and spending from groups like the Senate Majority PAC and the Senate Leadership Fund. Despite leading in several pre-election polls, Gideon was defeated by Collins, who won her fifth term with a majority of the vote under Maine's ranked-choice voting system. The race was influenced by debates over the Affordable Care Act, the Supreme Court confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett, and Collins's pivotal vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Post-political career

Following her Senate campaign, Gideon stepped down from the Maine House of Representatives and did not seek re-election to the legislature. She has since returned to the private sector and remains involved in civic and advocacy work. Gideon serves on the board of the Center for American Progress Action Fund and is a senior advisor for the political advocacy organization Fight Back Table. She has also been a contributor and commentator on political issues for various media outlets, discussing topics such as democratic reform and healthcare policy.

Personal life

Sara Gideon is married to attorney Benjamin Gideon, a partner at the law firm Berman & Simmons who has been involved in significant litigation in Maine, including cases against Monsanto and oxycodone manufacturers. The couple has three children and resides in Freeport. She is an avid runner and has participated in several Marine Corps Marathon events. Gideon is also a member of the Freeport Historical Society and has been active in local community organizations focused on education and environmental conservation.