Aaron Frey

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Aaron Frey
BornAaron M. Frey
c. 1978
BirthplaceBangor, Maine, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationLawyer, politician
Known forServing as Attorney General of Maine; multi-state litigation
EducationSaint Anselm College (BA)
Roger Williams University School of Law (JD)
WebsiteOfficial website

Aaron M. Frey (born c. 1978) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 58th Attorney General of Maine since January 2, 2019. He's a Democrat who spent six years in the Maine House of Representatives before taking the top law enforcement job. From Bangor originally, Frey started out in criminal defense law. When Janet Mills got elected Governor, the Maine Legislature tapped Frey to replace her as Attorney General. That wasn't your typical choice. His tenure has been marked by aggressive multi-state litigation: challenges to federal executive orders, pharmaceutical price-fixing lawsuits, and cases against fossil fuel companies. Lawmakers reelected him in December 2024.[1] His office has tackled consumer protection, public health, and civil rights enforcement, making him a prominent voice in Maine's legal and political sphere.

Early Life

Aaron M. Frey was born around 1978 in Bangor, Maine.[2] He grew up there and that same area became his legislative district years later. Public records don't reveal much about his family or early childhood, though his deep connection to Bangor clearly shaped both his legal practice and his later political career.[3]

Education

He went to Saint Anselm College, a Catholic liberal arts school in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he got his Bachelor of Arts degree.[4] After that came law school at Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island, where he earned his Juris Doctor.[4] Once he finished law school, Frey moved back to Maine and set up as a criminal defense attorney in the Bangor area before jumping into politics.[2]

Career

Legal Career

Before he entered politics, Aaron Frey worked as a criminal defense attorney in Bangor.[2] That experience in criminal law gave him solid grounding in Maine's court system and legal framework, knowledge that would matter later when he became both a legislator and Attorney General. The fact that he came from defense work rather than prosecution was noteworthy when he got selected for the state's top law enforcement position.[5]

Maine House of Representatives

He started his political career when elected to the Maine House. His first stint ran from December 5, 2012, to December 3, 2014, representing the 18th district. He succeeded James W. Parker, who left the seat. Anne-Marie Mastraccio then took that seat when Frey moved on.[3] From December 3, 2014, to December 5, 2018, he served again, this time representing the 124th district covering part of the Bangor area. Bryan Kaenrath held the seat before him, and Joe Perry took it afterward.[3]

In the Legislature, Frey worked on various committees and became known in the Democratic caucus. He focused on issues for his Bangor-area constituents.[3] Those six years in the Maine House gave him legislative skills and connections within the Democratic Party. Those connections proved crucial when choosing the next Attorney General.

Attorney General of Maine

Selection and Appointment

Maine doesn't elect its Attorney General. The state legislature picks one instead. After the November 2018 elections, when Attorney General Janet Mills won the governor's race, the position opened up. On December 4, 2018, Maine Democrats in the Legislature chose Frey for the 58th Attorney General post.[5] What made this selection notable was Frey's background in criminal defense, not prosecution. That set him apart from most of his predecessors.[2]

He took office on January 2, 2019, under Governor Janet Mills.[6] Early on, he signaled interest in working more with other state attorneys general on national issues.[7]

December 2024 brought reelection by Maine lawmakers. Frey secured another term alongside Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who was also reelected.[1]

Multi-State Litigation and Federal Challenges

Multi-state litigation has been central to Frey's time as Attorney General. In February 2019, just weeks into his job, he joined 16 states challenging President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.–Mexico border. Trump had invoked the emergency to redirect federal funds for a border wall. The coalition argued it was unconstitutional.[8][9]

Frey also led Maine in suing pharmaceutical companies. His office joined litigation accusing drug makers of price rigging as part of a broader push by state attorneys general to address skyrocketing medication costs.[10]

Trump's second term began in 2025, and Frey's office faced a fresh wave of federal policy challenges. That October, Frey joined a multi-state suit pushing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding. Governor Mills publicly backed Frey's decision to join the litigation.[11]

April 2025 brought a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against Maine over transgender athletes in school sports. Frey called the federal action "unsurprising" and made clear his office would defend Maine's existing policies.[12]

A May 2025 podcast interview had Frey discussing his office's broader strategy for resisting Trump administration executive orders. He also talked about holding large technology and oil companies accountable.[13]

Immigration Enforcement

Early 2026 saw Frey and Governor Mills demand details from the Trump administration about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Maine. Reports showed 206 people had been arrested by ICE during an enhanced enforcement push. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Lyons, they sought specifics about who was arrested and under what circumstances.[14][15][16]

Fossil Fuel Litigation

Frey's office filed a lawsuit against major fossil fuel companies in state court, alleging they'd caused climate change and misled the public about their products' environmental impact. In September 2025, a federal judge decided the case could stay in state court rather than moving to federal court. Frey praised that ruling as favorable to Maine's position.[17]

Law Enforcement and Civil Litigation

Frey also handles the state's legal defense in civil cases. In early 2026, his office argued in a police brutality case that the Maine State Police can't be sued because it "is not a person" under the law. A state trooper had allegedly repeatedly punched someone who was handcuffed. That legal argument drew media scrutiny.[18]

Personal Life

Frey lives in the Bangor area, the community he represented in the Maine House.[3]

In April 2023, Frey admitted publicly that he'd been in a romantic relationship with a subordinate employee in his office. That disclosure raised questions and led to an independent review.[19][20] In June 2023, an independent report concluded the relationship didn't significantly affect the office's work.[21][22] He kept his job and got reelected by the Legislature in December 2024.[1]

Recognition

The National Association of Attorneys General lists Frey in its directory of state attorneys general.[6] The Democratic Attorneys General Association also counts him as a member.[23]

His role in major multi-state legal actions has raised his profile. These include challenges to federal emergency declarations, pharmaceutical price-rigging lawsuits, fossil fuel cases, and disputes over immigration and transgender athlete policies. Both Maine and attorneys general across the country have taken notice.[8][10][17][12]

Legacy

As of early 2026, Frey remains Maine's Attorney General, so a full assessment of his legacy is premature. Still, his tenure stands out for aggressive multi-state litigation. Maine has joined other states challenging Trump administration policies on consumer protection, drug pricing, federal executive authority, and civil rights. He's been willing to sue the federal government in both Trump administrations, which has defined much of his tenure.[7][11][13]

His selection in 2018 marked a shift from Janet Mills, who moved from the attorney general's office to the governor's mansion. Coming from criminal defense rather than prosecution was different from what most prior attorneys general brought to the role.[2] The Legislature's reelection of him in 2024 showed continued support for his approach.[1]

His office's fossil fuel cases and participation in efforts to protect federal nutrition assistance programs reflect what Democratic state attorneys general nationwide have been doing. They've increasingly used their offices to challenge federal policies and corporate behavior on behalf of their states' residents.[17][11]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Lawmakers reelect Aaron Frey and Shenna Bellows as attorney general and secretary of state". 'Maine Public}'. 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "What you need to know about Maine's next attorney general".Bangor Daily News.2018-12-28.https://bangordailynews.com/2018/12/28/politics/what-you-need-to-know-about-maines-next-attorney-general/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Representative Aaron Frey". 'Maine State Legislature}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Aaron Frey — Biography". 'Vote Smart}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Maine Democrats pick Bangor's Aaron Frey to succeed Janet Mills as attorney general".Bangor Daily News.2018-12-04.https://bangordailynews.com/2018/12/04/politics/maine-democrats-pick-bangors-aaron-frey-to-succeed-janet-mills-as-attorney-general/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Aaron Frey — Maine Attorney General". 'National Association of Attorneys General}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Maine's new attorney general looking at more joint actions with other states". 'Maine Public}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Maine among states suing over Trump's border emergency".Bangor Daily News.2019-02-18.https://bangordailynews.com/2019/02/18/politics/maine-among-states-suing-over-trumps-border-emergency/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "16 states sue President Donald Trump over emergency declaration".ABC News.https://abcnews.go.com/US/16-states-sue-president-donald-trump-emergency-declaration/story?id=61155383.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Maine joins multi-state lawsuit accusing drug makers of price rigging".Journal Tribune.https://www.journaltribune.com/articles/stateregional/maine-joins-multi-state-lawsuit-accusing-drug-makers-of-price-rigging/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Governor Mills Applauds Attorney General Frey for Joining Multi-State Lawsuit to Release SNAP Funding". 'Maine.gov}'. 2025-10-28. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Maine AG calls DOJ lawsuit over Trump's transgender athlete ban 'unsurprising'".WBUR.2025-04-18.https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2025/04/18/maine-transgender-athlete-ban.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Podcast: AG Aaron Frey on defending Maine from Trump administration policies". 'Maine Beacon}'. 2025-05-23. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Gov. Janet Mills and AG Frey demand ICE release identities of 206 people arrested in Maine".NEWS CENTER Maine.https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/maine-immigration/janet-mills-aaron-frey-maine-immigration-ice-dhs-kristi-noem/97-3077e2e1-80f0-4195-8334-4fe0f7f020ee.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Governor Mills, Attorney General Frey Demand Trump Administration Release Full Details of Maine ICE Arrests". 'Maine.gov}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Mills calls for details about Mainers picked up by ICE".Spectrum News.2026-01-28.https://spectrumlocalnews.com/me/maine/politics/2026/01/28/mills-calls-for-details-about-mainers-picked-up-by-ice.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "AG Frey praises ruling to keep lawsuit against fossil fuel companies in state courts". 'Maine Morning Star}'. 2025-09-30. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "State police 'is not a person,' can't be sued in police brutality case, attorney general argues". 'The Maine Monitor}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Maine AG Aaron Frey acknowledges relationship with employee".Bangor Daily News.2023-04-05.http://www.bangordailynews.com/2023/04/05/politics/maine-aaron-frey-relationship-employee/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Maine attorney general acknowledges relationship with subordinate in his office".Portland Press Herald.2023-04-05.https://www.pressherald.com/2023/04/05/maine-attorney-general-acknowledges-relationship-with-subordinate-in-his-office/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Report finds Maine AG Aaron Frey relationship did not significantly impact work".Bangor Daily News.2023-06-02.https://www.bangordailynews.com/2023/06/02/politics/aaron-frey-report-relationship/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Report finds Maine AG Aaron Frey relationship not significantly impact work".WMTW.https://www.wmtw.com/article/report-finds-maine-ag-aaron-frey-relationship-not-significantly-impact-work/44093726.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Aaron Frey — Profile". 'Democratic Attorneys General Association}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
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