Senator Joe Rafferty is a Democratic member of the Maine State Senate representing District 34 in York County, which includes the communities of Berwick, Cape Porpoise, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, North Berwick, and Wells. Elected in November 2020, he has served in the Senate during the 130th to 132nd Legislatures and was reelected in 2024 against Republican challenger Bradley Ducharme. Known locally as "Coach Raff," he is the first in his family to graduate college and maintains an ongoing career in education. He currently chairs the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee and serves on the Labor Committee.

Education and Political Experience

Rafferty built a long career in education, retiring in 2018 after working from 1984 as a teacher and advocate. He held key union roles, including President of the Teachers’ Union, Building Representative on the Executive Committee, and Chief Negotiator for contract teams at local and state levels. His legislative service began in 2020, focusing on education, labor, and infrastructure issues such as Maine's three-year transportation work plan.