Co-authored with my two-time campaign manager and best friend, Canyon Woodward, Dirt Road Revival is an urgent rallying call to rebuilt rural politics. Dirt Road Revival delves into the history behind rural America’s political rise. It tells the stories of our rural Maine campaigns, revealing the deep stories of rural folks that need to be heard. Most importantly, it lays out practical lessons that we can use to create inclusive movements for social justice in rural red America.
I grew up on my family’s farm in Nobleboro. I went to the local public high school, Lincoln Academy, and then went to Harvard College. After graduation, I packed up Dad’s truck and headed home. Looking back, my life has one big theme: I love our rural home. I love that we welcome and care for each other as neighbors, regardless of political persuasion. We are independent but build strong community. We snowmobile, fish, hunt, hike, and work hard to reside in this beautiful place, living on the land with respect and freedom.
My love for our community and the lack of courage in Augusta inspired me to run for office in 2018. For two years, it was my honor to be the first Democrat to represent House District 88 (Chelsea, Whitefield, Jefferson, and half of Nobleboro). I then served in the Maine Senate representing District 13 for two years.
As as a legislator, I committed myself to effective, bipartisan, community-based leadership to fight for a resilient Maine, where broadband, education, healthcare, transportation, farms, fisheries, small businesses, and our natural resources sustain us in the future and honor the past.
Solutions to these challenges depend on good politics, yet most of us feel that the political system is badly broken and no longer represents our interests.
Now, I am phasing out of the Legislature. I decided not to run again so that I could devote myself full-time to supporting many people in this work, not just get myself elected. I also plan to attend Maine Law School. I work for JustME for JustUS in Maine to organize rural youth. Also, Canyon and I have have started a new non-profit, Dirtroad Organizing, to support rural organizers across the country as they dig into their communities, run for office, and fight for home.
For Community,
Chloe
Chloe Maxmin 