Barry J. Hobbins (born May 17, 1951) is an American lawyer, politician and is the current Public Advocate of Maine. A Democrat, he served in the Maine House of Representatives, representing part of Saco. As a State Senator, he represented several towns in York County, including Buxton, Dayton, Old Orchard Beach as well as Saco.

Barry Hobbins
Public Advocate of Maine
Assumed office
May 2017[1]
Appointed byPaul R. LePage
Preceded byTimothy Schnieder[2][3]
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
from the 133rd district
In office
December 5, 2012 – December 3, 2016
Preceded byDonald Pilon
Succeeded byRalph Chapman
Member of the Maine Senate
from the 5th district
In office
December 1, 2004 – December 5, 2012
Preceded byDennis Damon
Succeeded byLinda Valentino
Member of the Maine Senate
from the 31st district
In office
December 7, 1988 – December 5, 1990
Preceded byJohn M. Kerry[4]
Succeeded byCharles E. Summers[5]
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
from the 119th district
In office
1972 – December 5, 1984
Succeeded byJohn N. Diamond[6]
Personal details
Born (1951-05-17) May 17, 1951 (age 73)
Biddeford, Maine, U.S.[7]
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseDonna Hobbins
Residence(s)Saco, Maine, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Maine (BA)
University of New Hampshire (JD)
Occupationlawyer
WebsiteBarry Hobbins

His election to the Maine House in 2012 came after serving for 8 consecutive years in the Maine Senate (2004-2012). From 2010 to 2012, Hobbins served as the Minority Leader of the Maine Senate.[8]

Hobbins is a practicing attorney and law-firm partner in Saco. From 1988 to 2007, Hobbins served on the University of New England Board of Trustees.[9]

Biography

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Hobbins was first elected to the 106th legislature in 1972 at the age of 21. In 1973, he earned a BA from the University of Maine and, in 1977, a JD from Franklin Pierce Law Center. Hobbins was elected as a State Senator in 2004 and began his third term in 2010.[10]

As an attorney, Hobbins served as chair of the Judiciary Committee in the State Senate and a member of the Utility and Energy Committee.[9]

In April 2017, Hobbins was nominated by Gov. Paul LePage to serve as the State of Maine's next utility ratepayer advocate.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Maine Office of the Public Advocate - Staff Profiles
  2. ^ "Timothy Schnieder". LinkedIn.
  3. ^ Energy Office Applauds the Confirmation of Timothy Schneider to be Maine's Public Advocate and Commissioner Vannoy for Reappointment to the Public Utilities Commission (May 10, 2013)
  4. ^ SENATE, December 3, 1986 (p22-39)
  5. ^ SENATE, December 5, 1990 (S1-39)
  6. ^ HOUSE, December 5, 1984 (p1-19)
  7. ^ Resume of Barry J. Hobbins
  8. ^ Viger, Derek (November 12, 2010). "Senate Minority Leadership Chosen – Pine Tree Politics". Pine Tree Politics. Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  9. ^ a b Leader Barry Hobbins Maine Senate
  10. ^ "Our Campaigns - ME State Senate 05 Race - Nov 02, 2004".
  11. ^ Fishell, Darren, "LePage picks old-school Democrat as next state utilities watchdog," Bangor Daily News, April 14, 2017. [1]
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