Small island, big names: How North Haven produced two prominent politicians

November 13, 2007
By Jessica Alaimo

Chellie Pingree was doing well as a Democratic challenger for the State Senate in 1992. Knox County was usually a shoe-in for Republican candidates, and her opponent was frustrated with her success.

Angrily, during one debate, he called her an "Alice in Wonderland who lives out on an island." This marked the end of one political career, and the beginning of another.

People in the district didn't like that he made fun of an islander. They didn't like that he picked on a woman who ran her own knitting business which employed 12 people.

Pingree won.

The tiny island of North Haven, accessible by a three-times-a-day ferry across the Penobscot Bay from Rockland, produced two prominent woman politicians who have made headlines lately - Chellie, and her daughter, Hannah.

Chellie is seeking U.S. Rep. Tom Allen's seat, and is leading in fundraising.

Hannah, now 31, is the youngest woman to serve as House majority leader, and last week was selected by the Aspen Institute as one of the nation's "rising stars" in politics. She will participate in a two-year fellowship, meeting with 23 other young political leaders, and also visiting the Middle East and possibly Asia.

Chellie said she learned everything she needed to know about politics by living on the island.

Hannah said she learned everything she needed to know about politics from her mother.

A REMOTE DISTRICT

The ferry to North Haven takes about an hour. The island is primarily a summer community, and the economy relies on tourism and the lobstering industry.

When you step onto the island, the community center is to the right, with a small theater, child care facilities and a snack bar. Chellie bought a cup of coffee and stuffed a dollar in a can - It's all on the honor system.

The Pingrees live just up the hill. Most of the island's 350 year-round residents live in the immediate area, the rest of the 11-square-miles are occupied by summer residents.

North Haven has three narrow roads; a driving loop around the island is about 10 miles. There is one stop sign, one gas pump, one grocery store and one inn, run by Chellie and two partners. There are three restaurants and two gift shops.

The issues islanders care about are very unique, Hannah said. They care about the ferry. They care about affordable housing. They care about the lobstering industry.

Nov. 12 Hannah drove around the island in a red pick-up truck the family uses as their island car, and waved to every car passing. They all know each other.

Hannah stopped in the driveway of her old school. It's the smallest K-12 school in Maine, a one-story red building that holds about 80 students. Hannah graduated in a class of five - all girls. Now, when she's not in Augusta, Hannah coordinates a fundraising effort to build a new school.

The family lives in an older house near downtown. The Nebo Lodge - the family business, sits behind it.

Hannah and Chellie went down to the ferry dock, just before the 12:30 trip. Both of them greeted the lobstermen by name, and engaged in friendly conversation.

People talk politics with them, but still, "I'm just a normal person out here," Hannah said. "It's nice to live in a small town, people give you a break."

ISLAND OBSTACLES

Being a politician on an island raises its own set of challenges.

Both Pingrees were able to overcome any name recognition problems by making the rounds in their districts and knocking on lots of doors for legislative races. Then, they just built upon what they had already accomplished.

Chellie said her name is well-known because of her work as president of Common Cause, and her 2002 race against Collins.

Hannah said having her mom in politics helps her. She will be termed out in 2010, and plans to take a break. She got married this summer; she wants to raise a family. She wants a regular job. Eventually, though, she will consider seeking higher office.

Getting on and off the island can be an obstacle, too. They've all missed the ferry - so they need a back-up plan on the main land. Sometimes the ferry is cancelled because of the weather, so they miss events or can't get back.

For Hannah, it's impossible to tour her whole district in one day - it takes three hours to get from North Haven to Swan's Island.

Living on the island has helped their political careers as well. In small towns, everyone is engaged in politics. Any issue that is the slightest bit contentious will have 200 people riled up at town meeting.

And everyone is involved in each others' lives.

"You have to take responsibility and be involved in public service," said Chellie, who was on the school and planning boards. "You get inspired - everyone is so involved."

LEAVING, COMING BACK

By her senior year of high school, Hannah had no plans to come back and live on the island. She graduated from Brown University and then moved to New York City.

In 2001, however, Chellie called and said she was challenging U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in the 2002 election. Hannah moved home to help out.

The whole family helped with the campaign that year. Now, the middle sibling, Cecily, 28, is a filmmaker in Portland, and the younger brother, Asa, 26, is attending acting school in New York, and crafts skateboards on the side.

Both of them are interested in the issues, but: "I hope they don't go into politics, for their sake," Chellie said.

During her mom's campaign, the Democratic Party called Hannah, and asked if she wanted to run for the House. At age 24, she won 65 percent of the vote, and quickly climbed the ranks.

"Hannah had thought about going to law school," Chellie said. "I said 'Why go to law school when you can make the laws'."

[To see the article with photos, click here.]