AUGUSTA, Maine - Republican Michael Thibodeau of Winterport will serve as Maine Senate president.
Thibodeau was unanimously elected to the post Wednesday after Gov. Paul LePage administered the oath of office to the new Legislature. He served as Senate minority leader while Democrats controlled the chamber for the last two years.
Thibodeau said it's time to "finally act on some things that are long overdue," like "real and meaningful welfare reform." But he stressed that lawmakers must work together to get anything done in divided government.
Democratic Rep. Mark Eves of North Berwick was up for re-election as speaker of the House, but faced a challenge from House Republican Leader Ken Fredette of Newport.