Bettyann Sheats
Bettyann W. Sheats (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Maine State Senate to represent District 20. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024. She advanced from the Democratic primary on June 11, 2024.
Sheats (Democratic Party) was a member of the Maine House of Representatives, representing District 64. She assumed office in 2016. She left office on December 2, 2020.
Biography
Sheats earned a bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1984. She served in the United States Army from 1979 to 1991 as a Blackhawk Helicopter Maintenance Test Pilot.[1][2]
Committee assignments
2019-2020
Sheats was assigned to the following committees:
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Maine committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Transportation |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Maine State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Maine State Senate District 20
Bettyann W. Sheats, Bruce Bickford, and Dustin Ward are running in the general election for Maine State Senate District 20 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
 | Bettyann W. Sheats (D) | |
 | Bruce Bickford (R) | |
 | Dustin Ward (Independent) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic Primary for Maine State Senate District 20
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Bettyann W. Sheats in round 1 .
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Total votes: 1,453 |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican Primary for Maine State Senate District 20
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Bruce Bickford in round 1 .
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Total votes: 1,793 |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2022
See also: Maine State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Maine State Senate District 20
Eric Brakey defeated Bettyann W. Sheats in the general election for Maine State Senate District 20 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Eric Brakey (R) | 50.4 | 9,064 |
| Bettyann W. Sheats (D) | 49.6 | 8,918 | |
| Total votes: 17,982 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic Primary for Maine State Senate District 20
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Bettyann W. Sheats in round 1 .
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Total votes: 1,345 |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican Primary for Maine State Senate District 20
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Eric Brakey in round 1 .
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Total votes: 1,494 |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
2020
See also: Maine House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Maine House of Representatives District 64
Laurel Libby defeated incumbent Bettyann W. Sheats in the general election for Maine House of Representatives District 64 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Laurel Libby (R) | 54.4 | 2,949 |
| Bettyann W. Sheats (D) | 45.6 | 2,471 | |
| Total votes: 5,420 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic Primary for Maine House of Representatives District 64
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Bettyann W. Sheats in round 1 .
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Total votes: 965 |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican Primary for Maine House of Representatives District 64
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Laurel Libby in round 1 .
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Total votes: 606 |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Sheats' endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.
2018
General election
General election for Maine House of Representatives District 64
Incumbent Bettyann W. Sheats defeated Michael Travers in the general election for Maine House of Representatives District 64 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bettyann W. Sheats (D) | 56.9 | 2,497 |
| Michael Travers (R) | 43.1 | 1,892 | |
| Total votes: 4,389 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Maine House of Representatives District 64
Incumbent Bettyann W. Sheats advanced from the Democratic primary for Maine House of Representatives District 64 on June 12, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bettyann W. Sheats | 100.0 | 777 |
| Total votes: 777 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Maine House of Representatives District 64
Michael Travers advanced from the Republican primary for Maine House of Representatives District 64 on June 12, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Travers | 100.0 | 540 |
| Total votes: 540 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Maine House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 15, 2016.[3] Incumbent David Sawicki (R) did not seek re-election. He dropped out of the race after the Republican primary.
Bettyann Sheats defeated Michael Travers in the Maine House of Representatives District 64 general election.[4]
| Maine House of Representatives, District 64 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Bettyann Sheats |
52.12% | 2,673 | |
| Republican | Michael Travers | 47.88% | 2,456 | |
| Total Votes | 5,129 | |||
| Source: Maine Secretary of State | ||||
Bettyann Sheats defeated Candace Gleason in the Maine House of Representatives District 64 Democratic primary.[5][6]
| Maine House of Representatives, District 64 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Bettyann Sheats |
64.83% | 317 | |
| Democratic | Candace Gleason | 35.17% | 172 | |
| Total Votes | 489 | |||
Incumbent David Sawicki ran unopposed in the Maine House of Representatives District 64 Republican primary.[5][6]
| Maine House of Representatives, District 64 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | David Sawicki Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Maine House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 10, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for party candidates wishing to run in this election was March 17, 2014. The deadline for write-in candidates to run in the primary election was April 28, 2014, and the deadline for non-party candidates to run in the general election was June 2, 2014. The deadline for write-in candidates to run in the general election was September 22, 2014. Bettyann Sheats was unopposed in the Democratic primary. David Sawicki was unopposed in the Republican primary. Sawicki defeated Sheats in the general election.[7][8][9][10]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Sawicki |
48.5% | 2,127 | |
| Democratic | Bettyann Sheats | 47% | 2,062 | |
| None | Blank Votes | 4.6% | 200 | |
| Total Votes | 4,389 | |||
2012
Sheats ran in the 2012 election for Maine House of Representatives District 68. Sheats ran unopposed in the June 12 Democratic primary on and was defeated by incumbent Michael Beaulieu (R) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[11][12]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Beaulieu Incumbent |
57% | 2,674 | |
| Democratic | Bettyann Sheats | 43% | 2,020 | |
| Total Votes | 4,694 | |||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Bettyann W. Sheats has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Bettyann W. Sheats asking her to fill out the survey. If you are Bettyann W. Sheats, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?
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You can ask Bettyann W. Sheats to fill out this survey by using the button below or emailing [email protected].
2022
Bettyann W. Sheats completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sheats' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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As a veteran and small business owner, Bettyann is no stranger to serving her community. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she majored in aeronautical engineering, Sheats served our nation as a United States Army helicopter pilot. In addition to owning a specialty construction business, Bettyann has been a Member of the Board of Directors for the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), was the Chairperson of the Auburn Lewiston Airport, is a member of the Maine Military Community Network and American Legion Post 31, active at St Michael’s Episcopal Church, and is a volunteer with other community organizations. Bettyann believes that listening to neighbors, veterans, business owners, voters, and even visitors to Maine has helped her learn about the issues and find common ground as well as common sense solutions. This has allowed Bettyann to take the lead on many issues, when in the legislature, and in the community. Bettyann strives to constantly learn about issues affecting Mainers from every perspective. Bettyann is running to bring her unique perspective and skills to fight for District 20 in Augusta.
- The emergence of COVID-19 has revealed the flaws within our healthcare system across our nation. Our hodgepodge of work-based, private, and social (VA, Medicare, Medicaid) health insurance is expensive and hard to manage for providers and individuals. And the virus has shown how vulnerable our current system is to changing situations, with workers laid off through no fault of their own, losing their healthcare insurance. We, Americans, have proven we can accomplish anything we set as a priority. We need to make affordable healthcare accessible to everyone.
- Maine's Budget Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund, is at a record high. This means Maine is well prepared to address unforeseen issues and to address issues pushed aside for too long, like our infrastructure. We have learned from COVID-19 that expansion of broadband is not a luxury. It is essential for our healthcare system, education, and especially our economy: for training our workforce, for workers to connect from home, or for businesses (wherever they are) to connect to customers (wherever they may be). It is time to expand reliable broadband across the state.
- Maine has the highest percentage of veterans, whom we serve well. But we need to be prepared for the wave of young servicemen and servicewomen leaving active duty in the next few years as well as the numerous Vietnam Era Veterans whose healthcare and housing needs will increase with their age. As a veteran, I understand the common challenges faced by the community. I have worked hard to improve veterans’ access to health care services, obtained funding for the only female veteran homeless shelter and transitional housing site in Maine, and led the effort on expanding Veteran Treatment Courts in Androscoggin County.
As a mom I am most passionate about keeping our kids safe and leaving them a clean and healthy environment. When I learned that the decorative charms my daughter and I used to make bracelets contained lead, I got involved and helped pass the Kids Safe Products Act in Maine, which banned BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups. As a legislator, I have worked with firefighters to get cancerous flame retardants out of furniture, with moms to get phthalates out of food packaging, with farmers to keep PFAS out of our water, and with landlords to get lead out of apartment buildings.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2020
Bettyann W. Sheats completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sheats' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My motto is Listen : Learn : Lead. Here's why: Listen: I own a small business, Finishing Touches Shower Doors. My business allows me to meet many Maine homeowners and talk with other small business owners. Listening to them, to my neighbors guides my work in the legislature. Learn: For years, I have been involved in "grass roots" state politics. When I learned that the crafting supplies my daughter and I used contained toxic materials, I testified, campaigned, and fought in Augusta to help pass the "Kids Safe Products Act" which banned the use of BpA in many of Maine's children's products. Talking with neighbors and seeking bipartisan solutions are my key strengths. Lead: My military career taught me the key truths of leadership- it's not simply giving direction, but motivating and inspiring people to work toward goals that are right and just for the common good. I want to continue to lead the cause of hard working Maine families, seniors and youth, in the Maine House of Representatives. As my motto indicates, I enjoy hearing from voters. Helping with constituent issues and hearing how our laws affect a family or business is the most enjoyable part of my work.
- Partisanship is holding Maine back. I am a Mainer first. As a graduate of West Point, I am a veteran of a rivalry bigger than Republican vs. Democrat: Army vs. Navy. But in the military, when the mission starts, we all serve the United States. As a veteran I want to impress that sentiment onto our legislators. We may be D's, R's or independents, but we should all be Mainers first.
- As a leader of the municipal caucus, I have fought to restore revenue sharing to help lower our property taxes. I was very proud during our last legislative session to vote for a budget that restored funds supporting public health while raising no taxes. We also added funds to the Rainy Day Fund, bringing it to its highest level ever. These responsible measures will serve all Mainers as we fight and recover from COVID-19
- When my husband and I left the military to start a family, we chose Auburn, Maine as the place to raise our kids. Twenty -five years later, we feel the same camaraderie in Maine that we loved in the Army, we take care of each other, neighbors helping neighbors. I don't want to change Maine, I want it to be the best version of itself.
When I learned there was lead in the charms my daughter and I used for crafts, I got involved with politics to help pass Maine's Kids Safe Products Act. When passed, the act banned BpA from baby bottles and sippy cups. I went with other mothers, "the Stroller Brigade", to DC to talk to Senators Collins and King to encourage them to pass the Safe Chemical Reform Act. Through those experiences, I learned I enjoy working with my neighbors on issues that effect them and working with legislators in Augusta to find common sense solutions. As a legislator I have stood with mom's to get pthalates out of our food packaging, with firemen to get cancerous flame retardants out of our furniture, and with farmers to get PFAS out of our water sources (and out of our food). I will continue to work to remove toxic chemicals from Mainers' bodies, homes, and environment making Maine a healthier place to live, work and play.
When my husband and I left the military to start a family, we chose Auburn, Maine as the place to raise our kids. Twenty -five years later, we feel the same camaraderie in Maine that we felt in the Army, we take care of each other, neighbors helping neighbors. I don't want to change Maine, I want it to be the best version of itself.
My mother was an incredible woman. She was ahead of her time running a business. She was always learning something new or sharing her skills with others. She was very generous, especially with her time and help. She was my greatest cheerleader and made me feel proud and like I could do anything I set my mind to. As I matured, I realized she had that effect on so many others. I would like to follow her example by making people I interact with feel better about themselves and their situation. Whether it's a simple sincere compliment or a complicated constituent issue, finding information or finding a job, I want to help.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2016
Sheats made the following statement to Ballotpedia regarding her political philosophy:[13]
| “ |
Too many people, including the media and politicians, see governing as battles to be won or lost. I see the role of government as advancing the interests of the people. Everyone must remember the winners and losers here are not the legislators: the winners and losers are the people of Maine. As a candidate myself for the Maine House of Representatives, my focus will be to Listen: Learn: Lead. My motto is Listen : Learn : Lead. I am a small business owner, veteran, and parent active in our community. I listen to the concerns and ideas of my neighbors and other business owners. I have talked to legislators on both sides of a variety of issues. I’ve learned that every person can make a difference. I want to lead from within our State Legislature to keep Maine a beautiful and vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family. I will Listen : Learn : Lead. [14] |
” |
Campaign finance summary
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Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Maine scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2022
In 2022, the Maine State Legislature was in session from January 5 to May 9.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored by MPA on "where they stand on community, investing in the future, fairness, equality, and justice for all Maine people."
- Legislators are scored on their votes on 14 bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to gender equity.
- Legislators are scored on their votes related to reproductive health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Wabanaki Alliance: Senate and House
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that would put the tribes in Maine on equal footing with the other federally recognized tribes across the country.
2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Maine State Legislature was in session from December 2 to March 30.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Maine State Legislature was in session from January 8 to March 17.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Maine State Legislature was in session from December 5 through June 19.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Maine State Legislature was in session from January 3 to May 2. The legislature held a special session from June 19 to September 13.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Maine State Legislature was in session from December 7 through July 4. The legislature reconvened on July 20. The legislature held a veto session on August 2. The legislature held its first special session on October 23. The legislature held its second special session on November 6.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Maine State Legislature was in session from January 6 through April 20. A one-day veto session was held on April 29.
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Sheats and her husband have two children.[1]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "bettyannsheats," Official Campaign Website
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 5, 2020
- ↑ Politics1.com, "Maine," archived December 31, 2015
- ↑ Maine Secretary of State, "2016 Election Results," accessed December 20, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Maine Secretary of State, "List of Candidates who have filed for the June 14, 2016 Primary Election," accessed March 20, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Maine Secretary of State, "Tabulations for Primary Elections held on June 14, 2016," accessed August 11, 2016
- ↑ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, "List of Primary Candidates," accessed May 8, 2014
- ↑ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, "List of Non-Party Candidates," accessed June 2, 2014
- ↑ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, "Primary Election - June 10, 2014," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, "General Election - November 4, 2014," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Maine Secretary of State, "2012 Candidate List," accessed May 14, 2012
- ↑ Maine Secretary of State, "Tabulations for Elections held in 2012," accessed March 19, 2014
- ↑ Information submitted through Ballotpedia's biographical submission form on August 11, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Maine House of Representatives District 64 2016-2020 |
Succeeded by Laurel Libby (R) |
