Craig Hickman
Craig V. Hickman (born December 8, 1967) is an American writer,[1] farmer,[2] and Democratic politician from Maine currently representing Maine Senate District 14. He served in the 126th Maine House of Representatives as the representative for Maine's 82nd district from 2012-2018. Hickman won his 2012 primary election by nearly 80%,[3] and campaigned on ending hunger,[4][5] eliminating regulations for small farms and businesses, and investing in sustainable energy initiatives.[6] Hickman was elected to the Maine Senate in a 2021 special election, succeeding Shenna Bellows.[7]
Craig Hickman | |
---|---|
Member of the Maine Senate from the 14th district | |
Assumed office March 10, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Shenna Bellows |
Member of the Maine House of Representatives from the 81st district | |
In office December 5, 2012 – December 2, 2020 | |
Preceded by | Patrick Flood |
Succeeded by | Tavis Hasenfus |
Personal details | |
Born | Madison, Wisconsin | December 8, 1967
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Winthrop, Maine |
Alma mater | Harvard University |
Profession | Farmer Author Performance artist |
Website | Personal website |
Early life and career
Hickman was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on December 8, 1967. He is of African-American heritage. He attended high-school at Rufus King High School[8] in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was valedictorian. Hickman attended college at Harvard University, graduating in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in Government. He first ran for the Maine House in 2010, losing to incumbent Patrick Flood.[9] In 2012 he won his primary election by a sizable margin, and then the general election on November 6, 2012, beating Republican Scott Davis 59%–41%.[10][11] Two years later, in the midst of a Republican wave, Hickman won re-election against Republican Lee Fellman by a landslide margin, 65%-35%.[12]
Hickman spoke about his farm and announced the delegates earned by Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Maine Democratic presidential primary at the 2020 Democratic National Convention roll call.[13]
Personal life
Hickman currently lives in Winthrop, Maine, with his husband, Jop Blom.[14] He is one of six openly gay members of the Maine Legislature, alongside Sen. Justin Chenette (D–Saco) and Reps. Matt Moonen (D–Portland), Ryan Fecteau (D–Biddeford), Lois Galgay Reckitt (D–South Portland) and Andrew McLean (D–Gorham).
He operates the 25-acre historic Annabessacook Farm Bed & Breakfast,[15] where he regularly serves free meals to underprivileged citizens.[11][16][17][18] Hickman also writes one of the top-ranked independent sports blogs on the internet,[19] and is past President of the Winthrop Area Rotary Club.[20]
Hickman was seriously burned on July 10, 2018 while attempting to light a brush pile on fire.[15][21]
Achievements
Hickman's book Fumbling Toward Divinity was a finalist in the Spirituality category at the 2006 Lambda Literary Awards.[22] In addition, he has received a fellowship from the Massachusetts Cultural Council,[1] a Gertrude Johnson Literary Award,[23] the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement,[24] and a Spirit of America Foundation Award.[25]
Books
- 1993: The Language of Mirrors
- 1994: Rituals: Poetry and Prose
- 2005: Fumbling Toward Divinity
References
- ""Craig Hickman, Author of "Fumbling Toward Divinity", to Appear Live on The-Seeker.com Internet Radio Show", PR Web, April 22, 2005". Prweb.com. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ""Craig Hickman Announces Candidacy For House District 82 (Readfield, Winthrop)", April 3, 2012". Maineprogressiveswarehouse.wordpress.com. April 3, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ""Hickman beats Cookson in House District 82", Kennebec journal, June 14, 2012". Kjonline.com. June 14, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- "Craig Crosby, "House District 82 candidates part ways on core issues", Kennebec Journal, October 24, 2012". Kjonline.com. October 24, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ken Bragg. ""Craig Hickman, ME's 2nd Black State Rep, Shares His Dream on Ending Hunger", Bowdoin Daily Sun". Bowdoindailysun.com. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ""Hickman wins House District 82", Maine Sun Journal, November 7, 2012". Sunjournal.com. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- Lowell, Jessica (March 9, 2021). "Craig Hickman wins Senate District 14 special election". Central Maine. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- "Distinguished Alumni: (2006) Craig Hickman". rkhs.org. Archived from the original on November 21, 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
- Maine – Summary Vote Results.
- ""Bill Nemitz: Lawmaker's election a victory for all of us", Portland Press herald, November 16. 2012". Pressherald.com. November 16, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ""Hickman would ensure government works for us", Kennebec Journal, October 26, 2012". Kjonline.com. November 7, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- "Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, Elections and Voting, Results, 2014 Tabulations".
- Staff (August 19, 2020). "Watch Full Roll Call at the 2020 Democratic National Convention". Chicago Sun-Times.
- ""Representative Craig V. Hickman", Projecy Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- Eichacker, Charles (July 15, 2018). "Volunteers flock to Winthrop farm to help state lawmaker recovering from burns". centralmaine.com. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
- "Betty Adams, "Hot Meals Kitchen feeding hungry from B&B, not church", Kennebec Journal, October 10, 2011". Kjonline.com. October 10, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ""Hickman embodies 'be the change you want to see'", Kennebec Journal, October 21, 2012". Kjonline.com. October 21, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ""Grandma would be proud of Hickman's actions", Kennebec Journal, October 21, 2012". Kjonline.com. October 21, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- Hickman, Craig. "Huffington Post". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- "President, Rotary Club of the Winthrop Area". Winthroparearotary.org. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- "Winthrop legislator badly burned while using gasoline to light fire, authorities say". Kennebec Journal. July 10, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
- ""18th Annual Lambda Literary Awards", Lambda Literary, 9 April, 2005". Lambdaliterary.org. September 25, 2012. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
- ""Fumbling Towards Divinity: The Adoption Scriptures" by Craig Hickman, The Actors Life, February 15, 2005". Theactorslife.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- "Craig Hickman". beenhere.org. The National Black Justice Coalition. December 8, 2017. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
- ""Honored Ever", Spirit of American Foundation". Spiroaf.com. October 26, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.