Angus King

Angus King
Born	Angus Stanley King Jr. 31 3, 1944
Birthplace	Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer, businessman
Known for	Serving as U.S. Senator from Maine; 72nd Governor of Maine
Education	University of Virginia (JD)
Children	5
Website	Official site

Angus Stanley King Jr. (born March 31, 1944) is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician serving as the junior United States senator from Maine since January 3, 2013. A political independent, King previously served as the 72nd Governor of Maine from 1995 to 2003. Born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, King relocated to Maine after completing law school and built a career spanning law, public television, energy entrepreneurship, and public service. He first gained statewide prominence when he won the 1994 gubernatorial election as an independent candidate in a four-way race, and was reelected by a wide margin in 1998, enjoying consistently high approval ratings throughout his two terms. After a decade away from elected office, King returned to politics in 2012, winning the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Republican Olympia Snowe. He was reelected in 2018 in Maine's first use of instant-runoff voting for a federal election, and won a third term in 2024. Though he does not belong to any political party, King caucuses with the Democratic Party for committee assignment purposes. He is one of two independents in the Senate, alongside Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Early Life

Angus Stanley King Jr. was born on March 31, 1944, in Alexandria, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. He grew up in Virginia, where he spent his formative years before eventually making his way to New England for his higher education. King has spoken publicly about his upbringing in the mid-Atlantic region and the values instilled in him during his youth, which would later inform his independent approach to politics and governance.

King's path eventually led him to Maine, a state with which he would become indelibly associated. After completing his legal education, he relocated to Maine and began building both a professional career and deep roots in the community. His move to the state marked the beginning of a lifelong connection to Maine's people, landscape, and political culture. King would later chronicle some of his experiences exploring the country in a book about his recreational vehicle travels, published in 2011, which reflected his enduring curiosity about American life and communities beyond the political sphere.

King is of Greek-American heritage, a background noted in surveys of Greek Americans serving in the 113th Congress.

Education

King attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Virginia School of Law, obtaining his Juris Doctor degree. His legal training at the University of Virginia provided the foundation for his early career in law and public affairs, and his time in the Ivy League and at one of the nation's premier law schools connected him with networks that would prove valuable throughout his career in both the private and public sectors.

Career

Early Career and Business Ventures

After graduating from law school, King moved to Maine, where he practiced law and became involved in public affairs. He worked as a staff attorney and later held roles in broadcasting, hosting a public affairs television program in Maine that helped raise his public profile across the state.

In 1989, King founded Northeast Energy Management, Inc., a company that developed and operated electrical energy conservation projects. The firm focused on helping businesses and institutions reduce energy consumption and costs, operating in a field that was gaining increasing attention as environmental and economic concerns about energy use grew. King led the company for several years, establishing himself as a figure in Maine's business community.

King's entrepreneurial activities in the energy sector extended beyond his initial company. He was involved in wind energy development in Maine, a venture that attracted both support and scrutiny. A 2012 report noted that a panel raised questions about a $102 million loan guarantee associated with a wind energy project connected to King. His business ventures in energy also drew attention from Maine's business press, which covered his activities and their implications for the state's energy landscape.

Governor of Maine (1995–2003)

In 1994, King entered the Maine gubernatorial race as an independent candidate. Running in a competitive four-way contest, he won the election and took office on January 5, 1995, succeeding Republican John R. McKernan Jr. as the 72nd Governor of Maine.

As the nation's only independent governor at the time, King occupied a distinctive position in American politics. He governed without the institutional support of a major political party, relying instead on his personal popularity and ability to work across partisan lines in the state legislature. His administration focused on issues including economic development, education, and fiscal management.

King's popularity was evident in his 1998 reelection campaign, in which he won by a wide margin, securing a decisive victory that underscored his broad appeal among Maine voters across the political spectrum. Throughout his two terms, King maintained consistently high approval ratings, a notable achievement for any governor and particularly remarkable for one without party backing.

King's tenure as governor ended on January 8, 2003, when he was succeeded by Democrat John Baldacci. Maine's term limits prevented King from seeking a third consecutive term.

Post-Governorship (2003–2012)

After leaving the governor's office, King returned to the private sector and pursued various business and civic interests. He remained a prominent figure in Maine public life, and his book chronicling his cross-country travels by recreational vehicle, published in 2011, kept him in the public eye and demonstrated his connection to everyday American experiences.

His continued involvement in business, particularly in the energy sector, maintained his profile in Maine's economic and policy circles.

U.S. Senate Campaign (2012)

When Republican Senator Olympia Snowe announced in February 2012 that she would not seek reelection, citing increasing partisan polarization in Washington, King entered the race to succeed her. Running once again as an independent, King positioned himself as a pragmatic centrist who could work across party lines in an era of deepening political division.

During his campaign, King outlined his positions on a range of issues, including energy policy, economic development, and fiscal responsibility. In October 2012, King publicly endorsed Barack Obama for reelection as president, a decision that signaled his political leanings while maintaining his independent status.

King won the 2012 Senate election, carrying the state with a commanding margin. Upon taking office on January 3, 2013, he announced that he would caucus with the Senate Democrats for committee assignment purposes, a decision that gave the Democratic caucus an additional seat in the chamber while preserving King's independent identity.

U.S. Senate (2013–present)

First Term (2013–2019)

King's first months in the Senate were described as eventful, as he quickly established himself as an active and independent-minded legislator. A profile in the Portland Press Herald noted that King navigated his first 100 days with engagement on multiple fronts, working to find his footing in an institution known for its procedural complexity and partisan dynamics.

On gun control, King took a deliberate approach, presenting his position in detail in April 2013 amid a national debate over firearms legislation following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. King expressed support for expanded background checks and other measures, framing his stance in terms of public safety while acknowledging the concerns of gun owners in Maine, a state with a strong tradition of hunting and outdoor recreation. His position on gun legislation was noted alongside that of Maine's senior senator, Susan Collins, who also expressed support for certain gun law measures.

On healthcare, King was outspoken in his support of the Affordable Care Act and its implementation. In September 2013, he made headlines when he sharply criticized conservatives who were encouraging people to forgo enrolling in the healthcare exchanges established under the law, characterizing such efforts in strong terms.

King was an early supporter of marriage equality. In March 2013, he joined Maine Representative Chellie Pingree and Representative Mike Michaud in signing an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the federal ban on same-sex marriage under the Defense of Marriage Act.

On energy and environmental issues, King advocated for continued trade protections relevant to Maine's industries. In November 2014, he voted against the Keystone XL Pipeline, a decision that placed him in opposition to several members of both parties who supported the project. King's opposition contributed to the narrow margin by which the pipeline authorization fell short in the Senate.

King also engaged with issues specific to Maine, including debates over proposed conservation lands in the northern part of the state. In 2014, the debate over a potential national park in northern Penobscot County drew significant attention, with King participating in discussions about the balance between conservation and economic development in the region. He also defended Maine's bear management practices, weighing in on wildlife policy debates that had drawn national attention.

Second Term (2019–2025)

King was reelected in 2018 in what was a historic election for Maine: the state's first use of instant-runoff voting (ranked-choice voting) for a federal contest. King won decisively, securing a second term and affirming the viability of his independent approach to governance in an increasingly polarized political environment.

During his second term, King continued to serve on key Senate committees and maintained his reputation as a centrist willing to work with members of both parties on areas of common ground while opposing measures he viewed as contrary to Maine's or the nation's interests.

Third Term (2025–present)

King won reelection to a third Senate term in 2024, continuing his long tenure as one of the Senate's few independent members. His third term has been marked by active engagement with several national policy debates.

In January 2026, King publicly accused U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of "terrorizing" American citizens in Maine, criticizing what he described as an escalating surge of federal immigration enforcement operations in the state. The issue of immigration enforcement became a point of contention between King and his Maine colleague, Senator Susan Collins, with the two senators taking opposing positions on proposed ICE reforms attached to a short-term Department of Homeland Security funding measure in February 2026.

In February 2026, King traveled to Greenland as part of a group of U.S. senators meeting with Greenlandic officials following public statements by the U.S. administration about potential acquisition of the territory.

On February 20, 2026, King released a statement responding to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that deemed certain presidential tariffs unconstitutional, calling the ruling the "definition of checks and balances."

On February 23, 2026, King announced that he would not attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, stating, "I cannot in good conscience participate in a function with this President at its center." His decision placed him alongside Maine Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, who also announced they would not attend the address scheduled for the following day.

Personal Life

King has five children, including a son named Angus King III. He resides in Maine, where he has lived since relocating to the state after law school. King is known for his appreciation of Maine's outdoors and natural resources, interests reflected in his policy positions on conservation, wildlife management, and energy development throughout his career.

Before entering electoral politics, King's early affiliation was with the Democratic Party, but he left the party in 1993 to run for governor as an independent the following year. He has maintained his independent status since that time, though his decision to caucus with Senate Democrats has led to ongoing discussions about his political positioning. King has consistently characterized his independence as reflecting a commitment to evaluating issues on their merits rather than adhering to partisan orthodoxy.

King's 2011 book about his cross-country RV travels offered a personal glimpse into his life beyond politics, reflecting his interest in exploring American communities and landscapes.

Legacy

Angus King's career represents one of the most sustained examples of independent political success in modern American politics. His election and reelection as governor of Maine without the backing of a major political party, followed by three successful U.S. Senate campaigns as an independent, places him in a small category of American politicians who have achieved high office outside the two-party system.

As one of only two independents serving in the U.S. Senate—alongside Bernie Sanders of Vermont—King has occupied a distinctive role in the chamber, often serving as a potential swing vote on closely divided issues. His decision to caucus with the Democrats while maintaining his independent identity has allowed him to exercise influence that might not otherwise be available to a senator without party affiliation.

King's tenure as governor is remembered for the stability and high approval ratings that characterized his two terms. His transition from the governor's office to the U.S. Senate, following a decade in the private sector, demonstrated his enduring appeal to Maine voters and his ability to remain relevant in the state's political landscape over multiple decades.

His focus on energy policy, both as a businessman and as an elected official, has been a consistent thread throughout his career. From founding Northeast Energy Management in 1989 to his Senate work on energy and environmental issues, King has maintained a sustained engagement with questions about energy production, conservation, and the economic implications of energy policy for Maine and the nation.

In the Senate, King has been noted for his willingness to engage substantively with complex policy questions, from healthcare and gun control to trade protections and conservation. His approach has reflected the independent, pragmatic political culture of Maine, a state that has long been receptive to candidates who defy easy partisan categorization.