Kenneth M. Curtis

For the American singer and actor, see Ken Curtis.
Kenneth M. Curtis
68th Governor of Maine
In office
January 5, 1967  January 2, 1975
Preceded by John H. Reed
Succeeded by James B. Longley
Secretary of State of Maine
In office
1965–1966
Preceded by Paul A. MacDonald
Succeeded by Joseph T. Edgar
Personal details
Born Kenneth Merwin Curtis
(1931-02-08) February 8, 1931
Leeds, Maine
Political party Democratic
Religion Protestant

Kenneth Merwin Curtis (born February 8, 1931) is an American lawyer and former politician. He is currently a principal in the law firm of Curtis Thaxter Stevens Broder & Micoleau Limited Liability Company, P.A.

Life and career

Curtis was born in Leeds, Maine and graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Maine Maritime Academy in 1952 and rose to the rank of lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. He received his law degree from Portland University in Maine (now part of the University of Maine). Curtis received an LL.D. from Bates College in 1981.

Curtis, a member of the Democratic Party, was the Secretary of State of Maine from 1965–1966, before becoming the 68th Governor in 1967. He held that office until 1975. Curtis served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1977 to 1978 and Ambassador to Canada from 1979 to 1981.

Curtis served as President of Maine Maritime Academy. He was also Chairman of the Environmental Task Force of the National Governors' Conference in the early 1970s. He is a Protestant.

Curtis is semi-retired, currently residing on Siesta Key in Sarasota, Florida.

As a registered voter in Florida, Curtis temporarily lost his superdelegate vote in the 2008 Democratic National Convention when the Democratic Party ruled against seating any delegates from Florida because Florida had moved the date of its primary to a date earlier than permitted under party rules. Curtis, a supporter of Hillary Clinton's campaign for president, stated that he might not attend the convention.[1][2] Subsequently the Democratic National Committee Rules and By-laws Committee voted to seat all Florida delegates, including superdelegates, but with only half-votes.

References

  1. Walsh, Tom (2008-02-27). "Two of Maine's Super Delegates Are Ineligible". The Ellsworth American.
  2. "Superdelegate from Maine moves to Florida - Superdelegate total now 794" (blog). 2008 Democratic Convention Watch. 2008-02-28.
Political offices
Preceded by
Paul A. MacDonald
Secretary of State of Maine
19651966
Succeeded by
Joseph T. Edgar
Preceded by
John H. Reed
Governor of Maine
1967–1975
Succeeded by
James B. Longley
Party political offices
Preceded by
Robert S. Strauss
Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
1977  1978
Succeeded by
John C. White
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Thomas O. Enders
Ambassador to Canada
19791981
Succeeded by
Paul H. Robinson, Jr.
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