Preceded by John H. Reed Role Lawyer Political party Democratic Party Democratic Party | Religion Protestant Succeeded by James B. Longley Name Kenneth Curtis Resigned January 2, 1975 | |
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Full Name Kenneth Merwin Curtis Born February 8, 1931 (age 93)
Leeds, Maine ( 1931-02-08 ) Previous office Governor of Maine (1967–1975) Books Canadian-American relations Education Maine Maritime Academy, University of Maine | ||
Kenneth M. Curtis | Wikipedia audio article
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.
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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. Subsequently the Democratic National Committee Rules and By-laws Committee voted to seat all Florida delegates, including superdelegates, but with only half-votes.