Teresa Pierce is a member of the Maine State Senate, representing District 25. She assumed office on December 6, 2022. Her current term ends on December 1, 2026. Pierce was elected Maine Senate majority leader in November 2024. After the election Pierce said, “Over our next two years, Maine Senate Democrats will work together to improve all Mainers’ lives. This means creating opportunity in the face of potential hardship. This means a good-paying job, an education, a home and a community.” Pierce earned a bachelor's degree in political science and public policy from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1985. Pierce served as a Falmouth Town Councilor for six years, including serving for two years as its chair. Pierce's other career experience includes working as the Associate Director of Alumni Advancement at the University of New England and for other nonprofit organizations. Pierce served in the Maine House of Representatives from 2014-2022. In 2014, Pierce defeated Gregory Payeur 48.9%-46% in the general election for District 44. She was re-elected in 2016, 2018, 2020. During the 128th Maine Legislature from 2016-2017, Pierce was the House chair of the Joint Select Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation, which was tasked with reviewing marijuana-related legislation and helping state agencies create rules and regulations for the marijuana industry. The committee was formed after voters approved Question 1 50.3%-49.7% legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults over the age of 21. During the 2021-2022 legislative session, Pierce was chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, which writes the state budget. In 2021, Pierce also sponsored a bill that became law to allow online voter registration in Maine.
