The Executive Council of Maine was a government body established with the

Maine Constitution The Constitution of the State of Maine established the " State of Maine" in 1820 and is the fundamental governing document of the state. It consists of a Preamble and ten Articles (divisions), the first of which is a "Declaration of Rights". T ...

in 1820 and dissolved via statewide referendum in 1975. It was made up of seven members, traditionally defeated members of the majority legislative party, and was used as a safeguard against gubernatorial control. However, the unelected council often had problems with governors from different political parties. In the last years of the Executive Council, the Republican majority council and legislature faced serious opposition from Democrat

Kenneth M. Curtis Kenneth Merwin Curtis (born February 8, 1931) is an American attorney, Democratic politician, and diplomat. He was the Maine Secretary of State from 1965-1966, the Governor of Maine from 1966-1974, and the United States Ambassador to Canada fr ...

. In November 1975, the body was disestablished via a statewide referendum. Said then former Governor Curtis on news of abolishment, "I didn't think I'd live long enough to see it (abolition) happen".

Prominent members

John Fremont Hill John Fremont Hill (October 29, 1855 – March 16, 1912) was an American businessman and politician. He served in a number of positions in Maine government, including as the 45th Governor of Maine from 1901 to 1905. Hill was born in Eliot, Maine ...

, Governor of Maine * Stephen Lindsey,

President of the Maine Senate The position of President of the Maine Senate was created when Maine separated from Massachusetts and achieved statehood in 1820. The Maine Legislature had one year terms until 1880, when an amendment to the Maine Constitution took effect to prov ...

and US Congressman *

Joshua Gage Joshua Gage (August 7, 1763 – January 24, 1831) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts. Born in Harwich, Massachusetts, Gage completed preparatory studies. In 1795, he moved to Augusta (then a part of Massachusetts' District of Maine ...

, US Congressman * John Hodgdon, President of the Maine Senate *

Levi Hubbard Levi Hubbard (December 19, 1762 – February 18, 1836) was a United States House of Representatives, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester in the Province of Massachusetts Bay to Jonas Hubbard and M ...

, US Congressman

References

1820 establishments in Maine 1975 disestablishments in Maine Government of Maine State executive councils of the United States {{Maine-stub