Kenneth M. Curtis
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Kenneth M. Curtis | |
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United States Ambassador to Canada | |
In office October 5, 1979 – January 20, 1981 | |
President | Jimmy Carter |
Preceded by | Thomas O. Enders |
Succeeded by | Paul H. Robinson Jr. |
Chair of the Democratic National Committee | |
In office January 21, 1977 – January 27, 1978 | |
Preceded by | Robert S. Strauss |
Succeeded by | John C. White |
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 | |
Governor | John H. Reed |
Preceded by | Paul A. MacDonald |
Succeeded by | Joseph T. Edgar |
Personal details | |
Born | Kenneth Merwin Curtis February 8, 1931 Leeds, Maine, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Pauline "Polly" Curtis |
Kenneth Merwin Curtis (born February 8, 1931) is an American attorney, politician, and diplomat. He is currently a principal in the law firm of Curtis Thaxter Stevens Broder & Micoleau.
Early life and education[edit]
Curtis was born in Leeds, Maine and graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Maine Maritime Academy in 1952. He rose to the rank of lieutenant commander in the United States Navy before receiving his Juris Doctor from University of Maine School of Law. Curtis received an LL.D. from Bates College in 1981.
Career[edit]
Curtis, a member of the Democratic Party, served as the Secretary of State of Maine from 1965 to 1966, before becoming the 68th Governor in 1967. He held the office until 1975. Curtis served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1977 to 1978 and Ambassador to Canada from 1979 to 1981.[citation needed] In 1984, Curtis was elected to the Common Cause National Governing Board.
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.
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.
Personal life[edit]
Curtis is semi-retired, currently residing in Siesta Key, Florida. He is a Protestant.
References[edit]
- ^ Walsh, Tom (2008-02-27). "Two of Maine's Super Delegates Are Ineligible". The Ellsworth American. Archived from the original on 2007-06-19.
- ^ "Superdelegate from Maine moves to Florida - Superdelegate total now 794" (blog). 2008 Democratic Convention Watch. 2008-02-28.
External links[edit]
- curtisthaxter.com Kenneth Curtis biography
- Appearances on C-SPAN
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Paul A. MacDonald |
Secretary of State of Maine 1965–1966 |
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 Maynard Dolloff |
Democratic nominee for Governor of Maine 1966, 1970 |
Succeeded by George J. Mitchell |
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 1979–1981 |
Succeeded by Paul H. Robinson, Jr. |
- 1931 births
- Living people
- Governors of Maine
- American lawyers
- Maine Democrats
- People from Leeds, Maine
- People from Sarasota, Florida
- Democratic National Committee chairs
- Ambassadors of the United States to Canada
- United States Navy officers
- University of Maine School of Law alumni
- Maine Maritime Academy alumni
- Military personnel from Maine
- Bates College alumni
- American Protestants
- Democratic Party state governors of the United States
- 20th-century politicians