Advocate, social worker, and legislative leader Michael Brennan has more than
30 years of experience in education, government relations, housing, human services, and public policy. He currently works as a policy associate for the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine, where he directs projects related to child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, public policy, and substance abuse. He is a licensed clinical social worker and has served on numerous committees, boards, and task forces. He has also been an adjunct faculty member at the University of New England.

In 1992, Brennan was elected to the Maine House of Representatives, where he served four terms before being term limited in 2000. While a representative, he chaired the Education Committee and the Joint Select Committee on Substance Abuse. From 2002 to 2006, he served in the Maine State Senate, where he chaired both the Health and Human Services Committee and the Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform. During his final term, he was selected to be the Senate Majority Leader.

Brennan earned his bachelor’s degree in Education from Florida State University, his master’s degree in Public Policy from the Muskie School, and his master’s degree in Social Work from the University of New England. In addition, he completed the Senior Executive Program in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.