History of Angus King in Timeline

Angus Stanley King Jr. is an American politician currently serving as the junior United States senator from Maine since 2013. As an independent, he previously served as the 72nd Governor of Maine from 1995 to 2003. Before entering politics, King worked as a lawyer.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

March 31, 1944: Angus King Born

On March 31, 1944, Angus Stanley King Jr. was born. He is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the junior United States senator from Maine since 2013 and as the 72nd governor of Maine from 1995 to 2003.

Others born on this day/year

1966: Earns B.A. from Dartmouth College

In 1966, Angus King earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College, where he also joined the Delta Upsilon social fraternity.

1969: Graduates from Law School

In 1969, Angus King graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law.

1972: Chief Counsel to U.S. Senate Subcommittee

In 1972, Angus King served as the chief counsel to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Alcoholism and Narcotics.

1973: King Diagnosed with Cancer

In 1973, at the age of 29, Angus King was diagnosed with an aggressive form of malignant melanoma.

1975: Returns to Maine to practice Law

In 1975, Angus King returned to Maine to practice with Smith, Loyd and King in Brunswick.

1982: King and Birney Divorce

In 1982, Angus King and Edie Birney divorced. Edie Birney is the mother of King's three older sons.

1982: Brennan's Re-election

In 1982, Joseph Brennan's re-election with 62% of the vote was the last time a gubernatorial candidate had received such a high share of the vote until Angus King in 1998.

1983: Appointed Vice President

In 1983, Angus King was appointed vice president of Swift River/Hafslund Company, which developed alternative energy (hydroelectric and biomass) projects in New England.

1984: King Marries Mary Herman

Since 1984, Angus King has been married to Mary Herman.

1989: Founds Northeast Energy Management, Inc.

In 1989, Angus King founded Northeast Energy Management, Inc., a company focused on developing and operating electrical energy conservation projects.

1994: Sells Northeast Energy Management, Inc.

In 1994, Angus King sold Northeast Energy Management, Inc.

1994: Wins Maine Gubernatorial Election

In 1994, Angus King won the Maine gubernatorial election as an independent candidate in a four-way race.

1998: King Re-elected as Governor

In 1998, Angus King easily won his reelection bid for governor, garnering 59% of the vote and defeating Republican Jim Longley Jr. and Democrat Thomas Connolly. This was the highest share of the vote a gubernatorial candidate had received since 1982.

1998: Jesse Ventura Elected

In 1998, Jesse Ventura of Minnesota was elected as governor as a member of the Reform Party. He was one of only two governors nationwide not affiliated with either of the two major parties along with Angus King.

September 5, 2002: MLTI Program Begins

On September 5, 2002, the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) program began with a four-year $37.2-million contract with Apple Inc. to equip all 7th- and 8th-grade students and teachers in the state with laptops.

June 2003: Family Returns Home

In June 2003, Angus King, his wife, and their two children returned home after a six-month road trip across America, covering 15,000 miles and visiting 33 states.

2003: Leaves Governor's Office

After leaving office in 2003, Angus King returned to his business career.

2004: Visiting Lecturer at Bowdoin College

In 2004, Angus King was appointed a visiting lecturer at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, lecturing during his post-gubernatorial residency in Maine.

2004: Independent Nation Publication

In 2004, political analyst John Avlon described Angus King and three other independent governors as radical centrist thinkers in his book, "Independent Nation".

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2007: King Forms Independence Wind

In 2007, Angus King and Rob Gardiner formed Independence Wind, a wind energy company.

August 2009: Independence Wind Project Approved

In August 2009, Independence Wind, along with joint venture partner Wagner Forest Management, received Maine DEP approval for the construction of a $120-million, 22-turbine wind power project in Roxbury, Maine.

2009: Endowed Lecturer at Bates College

In 2009, Angus King was appointed an endowed lecturer at Bates College in Lewiston, where he taught courses in American politics and political leadership.

2010: Endorses Eliot Cutler

In 2010, Angus King endorsed Eliot Cutler for governor.

March 5, 2012: King Announces Senate Run

On March 5, 2012, Angus King announced his candidacy for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Olympia Snowe. King denied allegations of a deal with Democrats to keep U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree out of the race.

November 6, 2012: King Wins Senate Race

On November 6, 2012, Angus King won the Senate race with 53% of the vote, defeating Democrat Cynthia Dill and Republican Charlie Summers.

2012: King's Investments Valued

As of 2012, Angus King's investments were valued at between $4.8 million and $22.5 million.

2012: King Sells Share of Independence Wind

In 2012, Angus King sold his share of Independence Wind to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest after entering the U.S. Senate election.

2012: Wins Maine Senate election

In 2012, Angus King won Maine's Senate election to replace the retiring Republican Olympia Snowe.

2012: Promotion of Local Control for Land Conservation

In 2012, Angus King's campaign website stated that local control is the best way to conserve land.

January 3, 2013: Takes Office as Senator

On January 3, 2013, Angus King took office as a U.S. Senator after winning Maine's 2012 Senate election.

2013: King Votes for Nuclear Option

In 2013, Angus King voted in favor of the so-called nuclear option to eliminate the filibuster for most presidential nominees.

2013: King Votes to Restore ACA Funding

In 2013, Angus King voted to restore funding for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as part of an amendment to legislation that funded government operations for 45 days.

2013: National Journal Ideology Score

In 2013, the nonpartisan National Journal gave Angus King a composite ideology score of 59% liberal and 41% conservative.

October 29, 2014: Switches Endorsement

On October 29, 2014, Angus King switched his endorsement in the 2014 gubernatorial election to Democratic nominee Mike Michaud, having previously endorsed Eliot Cutler.

2014: King Continues to Caucus with Democrats

After Republicans gained the Senate majority in the 2014 United States Senate elections, Angus King stated that he had not ruled out caucusing with the Republicans but ultimately remained in the Democratic caucus.

2014: King Issues Endorsements

In 2014, Angus King endorsed Susan Collins, Jeanne Shaheen, Eliot Cutler, Emily Cain, and Lamar Alexander in their respective elections.

2014: King Endorses Susan Collins

In 2014, Angus King endorsed his Republican colleague from Maine, Susan Collins.

2014: Opposition to Banning Bear Baiting and Trapping

In 2014, Angus King opposed efforts in Maine to ban the baiting and trapping of bears, including a ballot initiative. He argued such practices are necessary to prevent interaction between bears and people, and are based on science and the views of experts.

2014: Open Mind About Maine Woods National Park

In 2014, Angus King stated that he was keeping an open mind about the idea of creating a Maine Woods National Park.

2014: Reads Washington's Farewell Address

In 2014, Angus King was chosen for the annual tradition of reading George Washington's Farewell Address to the Senate.

2014: Evzio price in 2014

In 2014, the price of the opioid-overdose-reversing device Evzio was $690.

June 2015: King Undergoes Surgery for Prostate Cancer

In June 2015, Angus King underwent a successful surgery that removed a cancerous prostate detected in a screening and biopsy.

2015: Legislation to Lift U.S. Embargo Against Cuba

In 2015, Angus King introduced legislation to lift the U.S. embargo against Cuba, calling it an "antiquated" relic of the Cold War. King favors the normalization of U.S.-Cuba relations.

2015: Support for Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran

In 2015, Angus King supported the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an international agreement with Iran. In voting against a "resolution of disapproval," he stated that the alternative options were either unrealistic or dangerous.

2015: King Supports Veteran Affairs Proposal

In 2015, Angus King supported the United States Department of Veteran Affairs' proposal for congressional authorization of $6.8 million toward leasing space in Portland, Maine, to expand a clinic for southern Maine veterans' medical and mental health care.

2015: Cyberattack in Ukraine

In 2015, a cyberattack in Ukraine took down a large portion of the country's energy grid. This event inspired the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act, introduced by Angus King and Senator Jim Risch in 2017.

2016: King Remains in Democratic Caucus

Angus King remained in the Democratic caucus after the 2016 elections, which resulted in a Republican Senate majority.

2016: Support for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

In 2016, Angus King expressed support for the Obama administration's creation of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. He stated that the administration had made commitments convincing him that the benefits of the designation would outweigh any detriment, that the monument would not harm Maine's pulp and paper industry, and that it would help diversify the local economy.

2016: U.S. Coast Guard fact-finding mission to Greenland

In 2016, Angus King joined a three-day U.S. Coast Guard fact-finding mission to Greenland. As the only member of Congress on the mission, he witnessed melting ice sheets firsthand, describing the impacts of climate change as "amazing and scary".

2016: King Supports Veteran Affairs Proposal

In 2016, Angus King supported the United States Department of Veteran Affairs' proposal for congressional authorization of $6.8 million toward leasing space in Portland, Maine, to expand a clinic for southern Maine veterans' medical and mental health care.

2016: Participation in Senate Intelligence Committee Probe of Russian Interference

In 2016, as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Angus King participated in its investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. elections. King stated that the committee had "no doubt whatsoever" about the Kremlin's culpability and described the cyberattacks as "a frontal assault on our democracy."

January 2017: King Votes Against Republican Senate Budget Plan

In January 2017, Angus King voted against the Republican Senate budget plan to accelerate repeal of the ACA and block repeal legislation from being filibustered.

February 2017: King Signs Letter Regarding Evzio Price Increase

In February 2017, Angus King and 30 other senators signed a letter to Kaléo Pharmaceuticals in response to an increase of the opioid-overdose-reversing device Evzio's price. They requested details on the price structure for Evzio and other information.

2017: Introduction of Securing Energy Infrastructure Act

In 2017, Angus King and Senator Jim Risch introduced the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act. This bill creates a pilot program for the federal government to study analog, nondigital, and physical systems that can be incorporated into the power grid to mitigate the potential effects of a cyberattack.

2017: King Criticizes Trump's Budget Proposal

In 2017, Angus King criticized Trump's budget proposal for its cuts to medical research.

2017: Opposition to Republican Tax Bill

In 2017, Angus King opposed the Republican tax bill, criticizing its passage along party lines without hearings. He highlighted that the legislation would add $1 trillion to the U.S. budget deficit over ten years. King's proposal to return the bill to committee failed.

March 2018: Introduction of Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act

In March 2018, Angus King and Senator Susan Collins introduced the Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act, aimed at bolstering the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). This bill was included in the 2018 United States farm bill.

May 2018: Introduction of PRINT Act

In May 2018, Angus King and Senator Susan Collins introduced the PRINT Act, a bill aimed at halting collections of countervailing duties and anti-dumping duties on Canadian newsprint. The bill also required a U.S. Department of Commerce study on the economic health of printing and publishing industries.

June 2018: King Endorses Proposal to Boost Rural Health Care Program Funding

In June 2018, Angus King and Senator Susan Collins released a statement endorsing a proposal by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai intended to boost funding for the Rural Health Care Program of the Universal Service Fund.

August 2018: Call for Sanctions Against Chinese Officials for Human Rights Abuses

In August 2018, Angus King and 16 other lawmakers urged the Trump administration to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim minority in China's Xinjiang region.

August 2018: Vote Against Protect Interstate Commerce Act

In August 2018, Angus King was among 31 senators who voted against the Protect Interstate Commerce Act of 2018, an amendment to the 2018 United States farm bill. This act would have mandated states to authorize agricultural product sales, even if prohibited under their state laws, as long as they weren't prohibited by federal law.

November 6, 2018: King Reelected to Senate

On November 6, 2018, Angus King was reelected, defeating Republican state Senator Eric Brakey and Democrat Zak Ringelstein.

November 2018: Concerns About Chinese Influence on U.S. Media and Academic Institutions

In November 2018, Angus King joined Senators Chris Coons, Marco Rubio, and other lawmakers in sending a letter to the Trump administration raising concerns about the People's Republic of China's undue influence on media outlets and academic institutions in the United States.

December 2018: Concern Over Withdrawal of American Troops from Syria

In December 2018, after President Trump announced the withdrawal of American troops from Syria, Angus King was one of six senators to sign a letter expressing concern about the move, stating it was a "premature and costly mistake" that would embolden ISIS, Bashar al-Assad, Iran, and Russia.

2018: King Remains in Democratic Caucus

Angus King remained in the Democratic caucus after the 2018 elections, which resulted in a Republican Senate majority.

2018: Gubernatorial Candidate Wins Majority

Angus King's 1998 reelection was the last time a Maine gubernatorial candidate received the majority of the vote until 2018.

2018: King's Net Worth

As of 2018, Angus King's net worth was more than $9.4 million.

2018: King Introduces Legislation to Halt Separations of Immigrant Families

In 2018, Angus King introduced legislation to halt separations of immigrant families at the border.

2018: Vote to Withdraw Military Aid for Saudi Arabia's War in Yemen

In 2018, Angus King voted to withdraw U.S. military aid for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen.

2018: King Votes to Confirm Alex Azar

In 2018, Angus King voted with most Republicans and some Democrats to confirm Alex Azar, Trump's nominee for Health Secretary.

2018: Cosponsor of NICS Denial Notification Act

In 2018, Angus King was a cosponsor of the NICS Denial Notification Act, legislation that would require federal authorities to inform states within a day after a person failing the National Instant Criminal Background Check System attempted to buy a firearm. The bill was developed after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

2018: Re-elected to Senate

In 2018, Angus King was reelected to a second term in the Senate, following the state's inaugural instant-runoff voting elections.

2018: Approval of Securing Energy Infrastructure Act by Senate Committee

In 2018, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act, which was introduced by Angus King and Senator Jim Risch in 2017. The bill aims to create a pilot program to study analog systems for the power grid to defend against cyberattacks.

2018: King plans for reelection in 2018

In 2018, the surgery did not change King's plans to run for reelection.

February 2019: Letter on Huawei Inverters and Potential Threats

In February 2019, amid trade disputes between the U.S. and China, Angus King joined nine other senators in signing a bipartisan letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Energy Secretary Rick Perry. The letter asserted that the American government should consider banning Huawei inverters in the United States due to potential threats.

March 2019: King Cosponsors Resolution Opposing USPS Privatization

In March 2019, Angus King cosponsored a bipartisan resolution that opposed privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS).

March 2019: Vote Against the Green New Deal

In March 2019, despite his expressed support for action against climate change, Angus King joined Senate Republicans in voting against the Green New Deal.

April 2019: Letter Advocating Funding for Carbon Capture

In April 2019, Angus King was among 12 senators who signed a bipartisan letter advocating that the Energy Department be granted maximum funding for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). They argued that investment in capturing carbon emissions could stimulate American job growth.

April 2019: Vote to Confirm David Bernhardt as Secretary of the Interior Department

In April 2019, Angus King was one of four senators caucusing with the Democrats who voted with Republicans to confirm David Bernhardt, an oil executive, as Secretary of the Interior Department.

April 2019: King Sponsors the Digital Equity Act of 2019

In April 2019, Angus King was one of seven senators to sponsor the Digital Equity Act of 2019, legislation establishing a $120 million grant program to fund digital equity plans in each U.S. state.

May 2019: Concerns about Escalation with Iran

In May 2019, Angus King expressed concerns about the possibility of miscalculation, misunderstanding, or misreading events leading to a dangerous escalation with Iran, highlighting the potential risks for the U.S. and the Middle East.

June 2019: King Questions U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Asylum Seeker Transportation

In June 2019, Angus King and Senator Susan Collins questioned U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the process being used to clear asylum seekers for transportation to Portland, Maine.

June 2019: Announcement of NBRC Grant Funding to the University of Maine

In June 2019, Angus King and Susan Collins announced that the NBRC would award grant funding to the University of Maine. They emphasized that this funding was an investment in Maine's forest economy, aimed at supporting those reliant on the sector and bolstering opportunities in rural communities.

June 2019: King Cosponsors the Safe Freight Act

In June 2019, Angus King was one of ten senators to cosponsor the Safe Freight Act, a bill that would require freight trains have certified conductors and a certified engineer aboard.

June 2019: Reaction to Halted Retaliatory Air Strikes Against Iran

In June 2019, after President Trump halted retaliatory air strikes against Iran, Angus King agreed with the decision but expressed concern about Trump's potentially limited options. King also questioned the state of U.S. relations with Iran and asserted that it was "a high-stakes gamble" if the U.S.'s pressure on Iran was unsuccessful.

July 2019: Statement on Climate Change and Paris Climate Accord

In July 2019, Angus King described climate change as "one of the most serious threats to" the United States, noting the significant loss of Arctic ice over the past 30 years. He emphasized the vital need for the U.S. to return to the aspirations of the Paris Climate Accord.

July 2019: King Cosponsors Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act

In July 2019, Angus King was one of eight senators to cosponsor the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA), a bill intended to strengthen training for palliative care.

August 2019: Cosponsor of Extreme Risk Protection Order Act

In August 2019, after two mass shootings, Angus King cosponsored the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act. This bill authorizes states to use grants to develop red flag laws, allowing family members to petition courts for an order to temporarily prevent someone from purchasing a gun and for law enforcement to take away firearms.

October 2019: Letter Urging End to Turkish Offensive in Syria

In October 2019, Angus King was among six senators who signed a bipartisan letter to President Trump, urging him to call on Turkey to end its offensive in Syria and to find a peaceful resolution while supporting Kurdish partners to ensure regional stability.

October 2019: King Advocates for Passage of CHIME Act

In October 2019, Angus King was one of 27 senators to sign a letter advocating the passage of the Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence (CHIME) Act.

April 15, 2020: Invitation to Bipartisan Task Force on Reopening the Economy

On April 15, 2020, Angus King was invited by the Trump administration to join a bipartisan task force focused on reopening the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: King Remains in Democratic Caucus

Angus King remained in the Democratic caucus after the 2020 elections, which produced a 50–50 tie in the Senate.

2020: Disagreement with Trump's Budget Request

In 2020, Angus King and other senators expressed disagreement with President Trump's budget request to combine the two federal programs that do carbon capture research.

2020: Trump Criticizes King

In 2020, President Donald Trump criticized Angus King, calling him "worse than any Democrat" after King had a "testy" exchange with Vice President Mike Pence regarding the executive branch's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

January 2021: King's Voting Alignment with Trump

According to FiveThirtyEight, as of January 2021, Angus King had voted in line with President Trump's position on legislation about 38% of the time.

March 5, 2021: Vote Against $15/hour Minimum Wage Amendment

On March 5, 2021, Angus King voted against an amendment proposed by Bernie Sanders to include a $15/hour minimum wage in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

August 19, 2021: King Tests Positive for COVID-19

On August 19, 2021, Angus King tested positive for COVID-19. He fully recovered from the virus.

2021: King Responds to Capitol Attack

In 2021, Angus King was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Trump supporters attacked the United States Capitol. King called the event a "violent insurrection" and blamed Trump, also supporting the invocation of the Twenty-fifth Amendment to remove Trump from office.

2022: Support for U.S. Manufacturers

In 2022, Angus King showed his support for U.S. manufacturers, visiting Auburn Manufacturing, a Maine company, to promote domestic manufacturing and advocate against unfair trade practices by China.

2022: King Voted for Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

In 2022, Angus King voted for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a gun reform bill. The bill enhanced background checks for firearm purchasers under the age of 21, provided funding for school-based mental health services, and partially closed the gun show loophole and boyfriend loophole.

2022: King Votes for the Respect for Marriage Act

In 2022, Angus King voted for the Respect for Marriage Act.

March 2023: Vote to Repeal Authorization for Use of Military Force in Iraq

In March 2023, Angus King voted with a bipartisan majority to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Iraq.

2023: King Opposes National Assault Weapons Ban

In 2023, after the Lewiston shootings, Angus King joined fellow Maine Senator Susan Collins in opposing calls for a national assault weapons ban but supporting bans on functionalities such as high-capacity magazines.

2023: King Ranked for Bipartisanship

In 2023, the Lugar Center ranked Angus King in the top fifth of senators for bipartisanship.

November 5, 2024: King Reelected to Third Term

On November 5, 2024, Angus King was reelected to a third term, defeating Republican Demi Kouzounas, Democrat David Costello, and independent Jason Cherry.

December 2024: Vote to Block Arms Sales to Israel

In December 2024, Angus King joined 18 other senators in voting to block arms sales to Israel, citing the high number of Palestinian civilians killed in the conflict.

2024: King Receives Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award

In 2024, Angus King received the 24th Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award from the National Park Trust.

2024: Wins Third Senate Term

In 2024, Angus King won a third term in the Senate against Republican nominee Demi Kouzounas and Democratic nominee David Costello.

January 2025: King Co-sponsors the Kids Off Social Media Act

In January 2025, Angus King co-sponsored the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA), which would set a minimum age of 13 to use social media platforms and prevent social media companies from feeding "algorithmically targeted" content to users under 17.