Born in Farmington, Peter Mills’ family instilled an enthusiasm for public service and a dedication to Maine. His mother was a teacher. His father served in the legislature, the military, and as US Attorney for the State of Maine. Peter has continued the tradition. From Gorham High School to Harvard College to University of Maine School of Law, Peter has consistently graduated at the top of his class. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for his service on Navy destroyers in Vietnam. The Navy later awarded him a Commendation Medal for his work conducting intelligence missions against the Soviets.

While running a law firm in Skowhegan and managing woodlots in Cornville, Peter dedicates most of his professional time to serving in the legislature.

During 15 years in the Legislature, Senator Mills has served as a Republican lead on Tax, Labor, Judiciary, Appropriations, Education and Health & Human Services Committees. He is outspoken in advocating for sensible change in tax policy, public service management, and school funding systems. Republicans and Democrats know him as a coalition builder with practical, independent views and a business-like approach to state finances. Legislators who work late at night know him as the only Senator who can do a headstand.

Admittedly a policy wonk, Peter’s hobbies include reading The Economist, Health Affairs and MIT’s Technology Review. He has three daughters also engaged in public service (education and the military.) He lives in Cornville with his wife, Superior Court Justice Nancy Mills and his dogs, who perform no public service of any kind but are excellent running companions.

The Details

Education/Background:

Born in Farmington, ME 1943

Gorham High School, Gorham, ME Graduated 1961

Harvard College BA. Graduated cum laude in English 1965

U.S. Navy 1965-70

University of Maine School of Law; Law Review. In 1973 graduated #2 in the class

Attorney in Portland 1973-82; owner of the Wright & Mills law firm in Skowhegan since 1982

Married to Nancy Mills, Superior Court Justice

State Senate 1994-2002; Maine House of Representatives 2002-2004; State Senate from 2004-present

Military Experience (1965-70):

Five years as a destroyer line officer with sea duty billets in communications, operations and intelligence. Deployed to Vietnam, the Central Pacific and the Mediterranean. Was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for gun line duty in Vietnam and the Navy Commendation Medal for intelligence work against the Soviets (specifically tracking and successfully documenting the impact patterns of Soviet multi-warhead ICBMs in the central Pacific.)

Public Service:

In the 117th Legislature, chaired Judiciary Committee and served as a member on Labor Committee (1995-96)

Chaired the Property Rights Task Force in 1995

In the summer of 1996, chaired the Critical Review Committee to rewrite Learning Results for Dept of Education.

In 1996 and 1997, served on the Assessment Design Team to implement Learning Results.

In 1997, served on the Childrens’ Health Task Force and on a committee to reform pensions for teachers and public employees.

In the 118th and 119th Legislatures, served as a member on the Labor and Taxation Committees (1997-2000).

In 1998 served on:

The Learning Results Steering Committee to oversee implementation of Learning Results and

The Task Force to Increase Primary and Secondary Forest Product Manufacturing.

In 1999 served on:
The Committee on Sawmill Biomass and
The Economic Development Incentives Commission.

In the 120th Legislature, served as Senate Republican representative to the Appropriations Committee (2001-02)

In 2001, served on the Education Funding Reform Task Force.

In 2002-04, was Senate chair and then a House member of the Community Preservation Advisory Commission.

In the 121st Legislature (2003-04), was a House member of Appropriations; also served on the Task Force on Retirement Benefits for Law Enforcement Officers & Firefighters. Became a member of the Health Insurance Public Purchasers’ Steering Group.

In the 122nd Legislature (2005-06), served on the Select Committee on Tax Reform and the Insurance & Financial Services Committee.

In the spring of 2005, initiated and led the “Don’t Mortgage ME” petition drive that stopped the state from borrowing $447 million dollars without voter approval.

From August 2005 to June of 2006, conducted an unsuccessful statewide campaign for governor in the GOP primary; spoke to over 200 gatherings about the state’s current challenges.

In the 123rd Legislature (2007-08), served as Republican Senator on the Education Committee.

In the 124th Legislature (2009-10), is serving on the Health & Human Services Committee, the Labor Committee and the Maine Childrens’ Growth Council

Civic Groups:

Past president of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association (1992-94). Inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1991.

On the Board of Pine Tree Legal Assistance Corporation 1994-1999

On the Board of HealthReach Community Health Centers 1997-2003

On the Board of HealthReach Network, a major provider of home care and other health services in central Maine 2000-2006

On the board of the Maine Math & Science Alliance 1998-2005

Organized transportation summits for Somerset County in 2000 and 2004

Currently serving on the following boards:
The Coalition for Excellence in Education

The Somerset County Economic Development Corporation (Clerk & founding member)

The Kennebec Regional Development Corporation — FirstPark (Secretary & founding member)

The Steering Committee of the Reforming States Group (since 1996) (A group of state policymakers sponsored by the Milbank Foundation to develop health policy initiatives)

The Maine Childrens’ Growth Council (since 2008)

Publications are at petermills.info