A career politician who once worked as a fur trapper and radio host
In short: Matthew Dunlap has spent decades in Maine politics, serving as secretary of state and state auditor. His path has been anything but linear, involving failed certification exams, legal battles over ballot signatures, and a diverse resume that includes time as a bartender, cook, and professional fur trapper before entering the legislature.
Born in Bar Harbor, Maine, Matthew Dunlap’s early life was defined by a variety of roles far removed from the halls of government. Before his political career began in 1996, he worked as a textile worker, radio talk-show host, and fur trapper. He eventually earned degrees in history and English from the University of Maine and completed a program for government executives at Harvard. His legislative career started in the Maine House of Representatives, where he served four terms representing Old Town, focusing heavily on wildlife and environmental policy.
Dunlap’s tenure as Maine’s secretary of state was marked by both modernization and controversy. He implemented the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act to improve ballot access for those abroad, yet he also faced legal scrutiny. In 2016, he invalidated nearly 27,000 signatures for a marijuana legalization initiative, a decision later overturned by a court. He holds the distinction of being the first person since 1880 to serve non-consecutive terms in the secretary of state office, having been re-elected multiple times between 2005 and 2021.
His transition to state auditor proved difficult. Although elected in 2020, he was forced to resign in 2021 after failing the required CPA exams. He eventually met the necessary credentials and was re-selected for the role in 2022. Now, Dunlap is shifting his focus to federal office. After winning the 2026 Democratic primary for Maine’s 2nd congressional district, he is set to face former governor Paul LePage in the general election, campaigning on a platform that includes universal child care and Medicare for all.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Matthew Dunlap
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