RELEASE: Young Members of Maine Legislature Form Bipartisan Caucus to Address Issues Most Important to Millennials

Maine State Caucus to be Led by Democrat Erin Herbig and Republican Matt Pouliot

(Augusta, ME) Today, Maine House Majority Leader Erin Herbig (D-97) and Representative Matt Pouliot (R-86) announced the creation of the bipartisan Maine State Future Caucus, a brand-new caucus comprised of around 25 state legislators under age 40. The announcement is part of a nation-wide movement in state houses across the country where millennial legislators are seeking to find common ground in an era of hyper partisanship. With the launch, Maine becomes the 24th state to join Millennial Action Project’s national State Future Caucus Network.

The caucus will focus on issues that Millennials care about, including student debt and clean energy. Maine’s Future Caucus will be part of the Millennial Action Project’s national effort to support young elected officials as they work to break through partisan gridlock and reestablish political cooperation.

While there has been a great deal of attention directed at dysfunction and gridlock in government, there is a counter-movement underway–led by Millennials–that seeks to disrupt the status quo in government. Millennial Action Project hopes that as additional younger state legislators course a path of bipartisanship and cooperation, they will be able to bring this perspective to Washington. Currently, 15 millennial members of Congress began their legislative careers in state houses.

“When young legislators put party lines aside and come together to create bipartisan solutions to major issues, the possibilities are endless. It is amazing to see the State Future Caucus Network continue to grow across the nation,” said Steven Olikara, Founder and President of Millennial Action Project. “Thank you to Majority Leader Herbig and Rep. Pouliot for leading this movement in Maine.”

“The strength of our economy, stability of our communities and success of the future leaders who will replace us at the helm of state government all depend on legislators of all ages and political parties fighting for the issues that matter most to young Mainers. I look forward to this work with Rep. Pouliot and a renewed focus on shaping our shared future,” added Majority Leader Herbig.

Rep. Pouliot noted, “I’m thankful to lead the Maine Future Caucus and to be a part of this nationwide network working to facilitate political cooperation. It’s critical to the future of our state and our country to address the concerns of Millennials and to reengage them in the political process.”

Media contact: Julia Schechter, (917) 282-2754 or [email protected]