Mark N. Dion (born 1955) is an American politician, law enforcement officer and lawyer from Maine, who has served as Mayor of Portland since December 4, 2023.[1]

Education and early life

Dion grew up in Lewiston, Maine and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1972.[2] He later earned a B.A. in criminal justice at the University of Southern Maine, a M.A. in human services administration from Antioch University New England and a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law.[3]

Political career

Sheriff

Dion, a Democrat, was elected Sheriff of Cumberland County, Maine, in 1998. Dion was criticized during his 2002 campaign for using a county credit card and attending law school.[4] After being re-elected in 2002 and 2006, Dion chose not to seek re-election as Sheriff in 2010.

Legislature

Rather than seek re-election as sheriff, he successfully sought a seat in the Maine House of Representatives. In 2013, Dion was named Chair of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.[3] In March 2015, while a member of the House, Dion announced that he would sponsor legislation to make marijuana legal.[5] In 2016, he was elected to the Maine Senate, where he served one term.

2018 gubernatorial election

Dion ran for Governor of Maine in 2018, placing fifth in the Democratic Party primary.[6]

Portland City Council

In 2020, he won a seat on the Portland City Council after a four-way race where he won 39% of the vote.[7] In June 2023, Dion announced his intention to run for mayor of Portland.[8] During his campaign, he promised to continue supporting a policy of forcibly removing homeless people from public spaces, stating “The sweeps will continue.” Incumbent mayor Kate Snyder, herself the former Executive Director of the Maine Department of Corrections, endorsed Dion.[9] He won the election on November 7, 2023, earning 39.6% in the first round and earning 51.5% in the ranked-choice runoff. The Maine Morning Star described Dion as "Portland's version of a law-and-order candidate."[10] He was sworn in on December 4.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Writer, Rachel OhmStaff (2023-12-05). "Mark Dion sworn in as mayor; new councilors also take office in Portland". Press Herald. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  2. ^ Collins, Steve (12 February 2018). "Lewiston native Mark Dion hopes to be Maine's next governor". Lewiston Sun Journal.
  3. ^ a b "Mark Dion's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  4. ^ Portland Press Herald 17 Oct 2002, Thu · Page 18
  5. ^ Writer, Gillian GrahamStaff (31 March 2015). "Former sheriff plans push to legalize marijuana in Maine". Press Herald.
  6. ^ Cousins, Christopher (October 12, 2017). "Former Maine sheriff enters race for governor as a Democrat". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  7. ^ Kelley, Michael (November 3, 2020). "Dion captures Portland City Council seat, Irish wins school board elections in District 5". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  8. ^ Shepherd, Michael (29 June 2023). "A former Maine gubernatorial candidate is running for Portland mayor". Bangor Daily News.
  9. ^ Writer, Grace BenninghoffStaff (2023-10-19). "Kate Snyder endorses Mark Dion, Andrew Zarro for Portland mayor". Press Herald. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  10. ^ Schroeder, Nick (8 November 2023). "Dion, Portland's version of a law-and-order candidate, wins mayoral race". Maine Morning Star.
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Portland
2023–present 		Incumbent