Angus King: From Bowdoin College Lecturer to Influential Senator
Angus Stanley King Jr. has had a multifaceted career, transitioning from a renewable energy executive and popular television host to a two-term Governor of Maine and, subsequently, a United States Senator. His journey, marked by a pragmatic approach and an independent streak, has solidified his position as a prominent figure in Maine politics.
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, Angus King's formative years laid the foundation for his future endeavors. He graduated from Francis C. Hammond High School before pursuing higher education at Dartmouth College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966. King continued his academic pursuits, obtaining a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1969.
Early Career and Return to Maine
Following law school, King began his career as a staff attorney for Pine Tree Legal Assistance in Skowhegan, Maine. He then worked for Maine Democratic Senator William D. Hathaway in the Senate Subcommittee on Alcoholism and Narcotics in Washington, D.C. In 1975, King returned to Maine and entered private legal practice in Brunswick. He later served as an executive and counsel to a renewable-energy firm. During this period, he also became a familiar face as the host of Maine Watch, a public television show focused on statewide issues.
Gubernatorial Years (1995-2003)
In 1994, King embarked on his journey into electoral politics, running for governor of Maine as an Independent candidate. He abandoned his lifelong affiliation with the Maine Democratic Party. King won the election in a close four-way race. His victory was preceded by fellow independent James B. Longley, making King the second independent governor of Maine. At the time, he was one of only two governors nationwide not affiliated with the two major parties, the other being Jesse Ventura of Minnesota.
During his two terms as governor (1995-2003), King pursued an agenda that defied traditional categorization. He championed environmental protection and education reforms while maintaining a pragmatic approach to economic issues. The Washington Times described King as an idealist who "wants to slash regulations but preserve the environment; hold the line on taxes; impose work and education requirements on welfare recipients; experiment with public school choice and cut at least $60 million from the state budget."
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King positioned himself as a small-business owner when negotiating with labor unions on matters such as minimum-wage reform. In 1998, King easily won reelection, garnering 59% of the vote, the highest share a gubernatorial candidate had received since 1982.
A significant initiative during his governorship was the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI), launched in 2002. This program aimed to provide laptops for every public middle-school student in the state, making Maine a pioneer in one-to-one computing initiatives.
Transition and Return to Public Life
After leaving office in 2003, King, his wife Mary Herman, and their two children embarked on a road trip across America in a motor home. Upon returning to Maine, he lectured at Bowdoin College in Brunswick and Bates College in Lewiston. More recently, King has been working on wind power development and teaching a popular course on leaders and leadership at Bowdoin College.
Election to the U.S. Senate (2012)
In 2012, King entered the race for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retiring Republican Olympia Snowe. He won with 52.9 percent of the popular vote in a six-way race.
Tenure in the Senate (2013-Present)
After taking office in 2013, King caucused with the Democratic Party while maintaining his independent identity and known for his bipartisan efforts. He has focused on issues such as nuclear weapons, cybersecurity, and energy policy while serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
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King has been a vocal advocate for various causes during his time in the Senate. He opposed efforts to cut funding for Planned Parenthood and supported the Affordable Care Act ("the President’s health care overhaul"). He has also taken a stance on foreign policy matters, including expressing concerns about the influence of the People's Republic of China on media outlets and academic institutions in the United States. In 2015, King supported the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an international agreement with Iran.
King supports expanding background checks to most firearms transactions, with exceptions for transfers between family members, calling such a position "the single most effective step" that can be taken to keep guns out of the wrong hands. He supports limiting the size of magazines to 10 rounds, and to make purchasing a gun for someone not legally allowed to have one a federal crime.
King has also focused on issues specific to Maine, such as advocating for the lobster emoji as a symbol of Maine culture.
Personal Life and Health
King married Mary Herman in 1984, and they have five children. He has been open about his health challenges, including being diagnosed with an aggressive form of melanoma at age 29 and undergoing surgery for prostate cancer in 2015.
Reelection and Continued Service
King easily won reelection in 2018, capturing more than 54 percent of the vote in a three-way race. In 2024, King won reelection against Republican Demi Kouzounas and two other candidates.
Read also: Navigating Your Academic Journey at King University
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