Genevieve McDonald

Genevieve McDonald
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
from the 134th district
In office
December 5, 2018 – May 10, 2022
Preceded byWalter Kumiega
Succeeded byHolly Eaton
Personal details
Born1982 (age 43–44)
PartyDemocratic

Genevieve Kurilec McDonald (born 1982) is an American Democratic politician, lobster boat captain, and fisheries advocate from Maine. McDonald represented House District #134: Cranberry Isles, Deer Isle, Frenchboro, Isle au Haut, North Haven, Southwest Harbor, Stonington, Swan's Island, Tremont, Vinalhaven, and Marshall Island. In 2013, she successfully led a social media campaign to prompt fishing gear producer Grundéns to produce commercial fishing gear for women. In June 2014, McDonald became the first woman to serve on the Maine Department of Marine Resources Lobster Advisory Council (LAC). McDonald resigned her House seat effective on May 10, 2022, the day after the last Legislative Day of the Second (and final) Regular Session of the 130th Maine Legislature.

Early life and education

McDonald was born in 1982 in Bar Harbor.[1]

McDonald enrolled in the University of Maine in 2013, graduating in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in university studies with a minor in Maine studies,[1][2] explaining that by enrolling she "wanted to be able to better facilitate communication between the commercial fishing industry and the scientific community."[3]

In June 2014, McDonald was appointed the Down East region's representative to the Maine Department of Marine Resources Lobster Advisory Council (LAC). She is the first woman to serve on the LAC.[4][5]

Women's fishing gear campaign

In 2013, McDonald, frustrated with constantly having to modify ― and therefore compromise the effectiveness of ― her "unisex" fishing gear for a better fit, began a social media campaign to connect women fishermen and help them put pressure on manufacturers to produce better-fitting gear for women. When she met a representative from leading fishing gear company Grundéns USA at a trade show and inquired about production of women's gear, he abruptly dismissed the suggestion. McDonald posted a recap of the incident on social media, which went viral. Through her "Chix Who Fish" Facebook group, McDonald collected over 1,000 photos of women fisherman from around the world and sent a presentation of their photos to Grundéns.[3] The president of Grundéns USA reached out and sent her a prototype jacket from their upcoming Sedna gear line for women.[6][7][4][1] In 2018, Eric Tietje, Grundéns global product director, credited McDonald's campaign, including her "Chix Who Fish" Facebook group, with inspiring the company's decision to launch the Sedna line.[8]

Maine House

The Maine State Capitol

McDonald says she was inspired to run for the House after completing a Washington, D.C. travel course at the University of Maine,[1] and also credits her tenure on the LAC with first introducing her to state-level advocacy.[3] She announced her candidacy for Maine House District #134 in February 2018, filling a seat vacated by Walter Kumiega, who had termed out and approached her about running in his place.[9][3] District #134 represents Maine's largest lobster ports and consists of waterfront towns and islands.[10]

McDonald ran unopposed in the 2018 House District #134 Democratic primary and defeated Republican Philip Brady 67%-33% in the general election.[2] During her first term, McDonald served on the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources and the Maine Climate Council Working Group on Community Resiliency, Emergency Planning and Public Health.[2]

In January 2020, McDonald announced a re-election bid.[11] She defeated fellow Democrat Julie Eaton 75%-25% in the District #134 primary and ran unopposed in the general election.[12] In her second term she continued to serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources and was assigned as the House chair of the Government Oversight Committee.[13] In April 2021, McDonald was appointed to the Coastal and Marine Working Group of the Maine Climate Council.[14]

McDonald announced her candidacy for Maine Senate District 7 in January 2022,[15] but later withdrew her candidacy. She resigned her House seat on May 9, 2022.[16]

Science–fishing relations

McDonald has described both improving the relationship between scientists and fishermen[17] and addressing impacts of climate change on the fishing industry as two of her continued legislative priorities.[11] She has strongly advocated for national policies that both protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale and protect Maine's lobster fisheries,[18][19] and collaborates with scientists on the water whenever possible.[17] McDonald is the fisheries liaison to the New England Aqua Ventus project, which has proposed a floating wind array off the coast of Maine.[20][21][22]

Fishing industry support

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, McDonald helped many of her fellow fishermen secure Paycheck Protection Program loans and access Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to help weather financial losses.[23][24] McDonald also planned to provide guidance to lobstermen applying for the Seafood Trade Relief Grant.[24]

In late June 2020, McDonald drew attention for correcting several of then-president Donald Trump's tweets regarding his administration's contributions to Maine's fishing industry.[25]

2026 U.S. Senate election in Maine

Following McDonald's resignation from the state House, she became a consultant with Preti Strategies.[26] McDonald became the political director for Graham Platner's campaign for the 2026 United States Senate election in Maine following Platner's August 2025 campaign launch.[26] McDonald resigned on 17 October 2025 after past statements made by Platner on Reddit were reported, writing in her resignation letter that Platner's statements "were not known to me when I agreed to join the campaign, and they are not words or values I can stand behind in a candidate".[26] Some of the statements made by Platner included referring to police as "bastards", asking why Black people did not tip, and a comment that people concerned about being raped should "take some responsibility for themselves and not get so fucked up".[26]

In May 2026, McDonald leaked texts she received from Platner's wife to The Wall Street Journal, revealing that Platner had sent sexual messages to women during their marriage. Platner's wife said she was "deeply hurt" by the leaks.[27]

Personal life

McDonald married her husband in September 2012[17] and they live in Stonington with their two daughters.[1][2]

In 2019, Belfast artist Susan Tobey White included McDonald with a dozen other women fishermen in a series of paintings titled "Lobstering Women of Maine."[28]

Electoral history

2018 Maine House District 134 Democratic Primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Genevieve McDonald 1,034 100%
Total votes 1,034 100.0%
2018 Maine House District 134 General Election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Genevieve McDonald 3,111 66.8%
Republican Philip Brady 1,547 33.2%
Total votes 4,658 100.0%
2020 Maine House District 134 Democratic Primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Genevieve McDonald 1,246 75.1%
Democratic Julie Eaton 414 24.9%
Total votes 1,660 100.0%
2020 Maine House District 134 General Election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Genevieve McDonald 4,445 100.0%
Total votes 4,445 100.0%

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Staples, Beth (May 7, 2019). "Genevieve McDonald — a lobster boat captain and legislator — to graduate with highest distinction". The University of Maine. Retrieved March 12, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Rep. Genevieve McDonald seeks re-election to House District 134". Pen Bay Pilot. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Women on the Water: Genevieve McDonald, Commercial Lobster-woman, State Rep, & Mom of Twins". YouTube. US Harbors. May 13, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. 1 2 Griffin, Nancy (April 2015). "New leaders in Maine's lobster fishery: Genevieve McDonald, Stonington" (PDF). Maine Lobstermen's Community Alliance. Retrieved March 10, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ↑ Van Allen, Jennifer (October 5, 2014). "Maine women welcome a sea of opportunities". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved March 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ↑ Kevin, Brian (May 11, 2015). "Oil Gear Agitator". Down East. Retrieved March 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ↑ McDonald, Genevieve (February 9, 2014). "From The Dock: Fishing Women Need The Right Work Clothes". Maine Lobstermen's Community Alliance. Retrieved March 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ↑ Mangini, Stephanie (April 9, 2018). "Grundens Gear Fit for Women". Alaska Fish Radio. Retrieved March 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ↑ "McDonald announces bid for Kumiega's seat". Mount Desert Islander. February 12, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  10. ↑ Hathaway, Jessica (November 8, 2018). "Maine elects first woman commercial fisherman rep". National Fisherman. Retrieved March 12, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. 1 2 "Rep. McDonald announces re-election campaign". The Ellsworth American. January 14, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  12. ↑ "Genevieve McDonald". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 10, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  13. ↑ "Representative Genevieve McDonald". Maine House Democrats. Retrieved March 12, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  14. ↑ "Rep. McDonald appointed to Maine Climate Council working group". Penobscot Bay Pilot. April 5, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  15. ↑ "McDonald announces candidacy for Senate". The Ellsworth American. January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  16. ↑ "Genevieve McDonald". Maine House of Representatives. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 Paquette, Sarah (June 29, 2012). "New Recruit: It All Started With A Dare". Maine Lobstermen's Community Alliance. Retrieved March 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  18. ↑ McDonald, Genevieve (July 19, 2019). "Rep. McDonald: Federal rules would hurt lobstering, but do little for whales". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved March 12, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  19. ↑ Landrigan, Leslie (February 25, 2021). "Whale rule proposals bring fear and anxiety". Island Ad-Vantages. Retrieved March 12, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  20. ↑ Hathaway, Jessica (January 25, 2021). "Maine's governor requests 10-year moratorium on wind permits in state waters". National Fisherman. Archived from the original on February 8, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  21. ↑ Bever, Fred (March 22, 2021). "Lobstermen Circle Survey Vessel As Wind Protests Escalate". Maine Public. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Maine wind development survey allegedly disrupted". Associated Press. March 23, 2021. Archived from the original on December 28, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  23. ↑ Overton, Penelope (July 19, 2020). "1 in 3 Maine lobstermen lands federal pandemic loan". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on February 22, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  24. 1 2 Landrigan, Leslie (September 17, 2020). "Maine lobstermen to harvest $50 million windfall". Island Ad-Vantages. Penobscot Bay Press. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  25. ↑ McCauley, Lauren (June 25, 2020). "Maine lobster boat captain and legislator calls out Trump's false tweets". Maine Beacon. Archived from the original on October 2, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Kobin, Billy (October 17, 2025). "Former Maine lawmaker resigns from Graham Platner's campaign over Reddit posts". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on October 23, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  27. ↑ Glueck, Katie; Lerer, Lisa (May 30, 2026). "Platner's Wife Flagged His Sexual Texts With Other Women as Maine Senate Race Began". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Museum exhibit showcases women who lobster". MaineBoats.com. July 17, 2019. Archived from the original on June 19, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
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