Rep. Ryan D. Fecteau officially elected as House Speaker

It is with great pride and humility that I stand before you today, to once again serve this institution and our state as Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. 

Just as I did four years ago, I want to begin by congratulating each of you—whether you are returning or newly elected. You are here because of your commitment to the people of Maine. 

The effort it takes to run for office, to represent your communities, and to dedicate yourself to public service is no small feat. And it takes even more from your families, friends, and supporters who stand behind you every step of the way. 

Let us take a moment to thank them. 

My mom, grammy, dad, and his wife Samantha are here, cheering me on. 

And so is my husband, Dylan. Dylan - I am blessed by our partnership and love and I am endlessly grateful for your support.

For those of you who may not know me, my name is Ryan Fecteau, and I am proud to represent the city of Biddeford, the community where I was born and raised. 

My memere and pepere moved to Maine from Quebec in 1964, seeking a better life. Like many who came before them, they worked hard in Biddeford’s textile mills, and they had a vision of a brighter future.

My mom is to this day a caregiver and for many years my dad worked in the dyehouse in the mills. 

My parents instilled in me when I was young the value of hard work and perseverance.

But it was not always easy to make ends meet. Sometimes, food wasn’t always plentiful or nutritious, our car wasn’t reliable, but we always had a safe place to call home and a public education that lifted us up.

When you are living on the edge like my family was back then, it seemed like every financial crisis that could happen, did happen.

For too many Maine people, this struggle is still a daily reality. 

When every month feels like a balancing act—figuring out which bills can be delayed just to put food on the table for one more week.

When a car repair or a trip to the doctor can devastate an entire monthly budget, and the worry of how to make it to the next paycheck never fully fades.

Everyone in this room has heard loud and clear that rising costs are top of mind for just about every Mainer.

And that is what drives me to fight for policies that support working families. 

I don’t want families to merely scrape by; I want them to have financial security and opportunity.

No matter the district you represent or whether you are a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, I’m certain that’s what you want as well.

I believe that every single one of you is here and serving in this role to make life better for the people in this state. 

I think each of you have incredibly important experiences and backgrounds that will impact our work and I pledge to listen and learn from your stories, just as you have mine.

This day marks an opportunity like no other. 

It’s a moment to set aside the divisions that too often define our political landscape and instead focus on the common purpose that brought us all here: to make life better for the people of Maine.

I know that politics in America today can feel bitter and divisive. 

We see it on the news, we hear it in our communities, and too often, we feel it in our hearts. 

Closer to home, even in my own family, we have differences of political opinion that can feel difficult to bridge.

But I also know that we, right here in this room, have the power to show that the government can work, that compromise is possible, and that progress is within our reach.

I will not stand up here and pretend that this work will be easy. Yes, the challenges we face are complex and sometimes daunting. 

The debates we have can be spirited, even contentious. But in this chamber, under my tenure, they will be conducted with respect and with civility.  

I believe the strength of our democracy lies not in uniformity, but in the diversity of voices, perspectives, and ideas that we bring to the table. 

Let us use this session to prove what Maine has always known: that we are stronger when we work together, that solutions are found not in digging trenches, but in building bridges.

We have critical work ahead of us. 

Housing remains one of the greatest challenges our state faces. 

I’ve spent my public and professional life working on this issue. The fact is - and we all know this - too many families are struggling to find an affordable place to live. 

We must work together to ensure that every Mainer has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing, because a home is more than four walls—it’s the foundation for opportunity, stability, and dignity.

Education and childcare, too, must be at the forefront of our efforts. 

Maine’s children deserve the best possible start in life, with safe, predictable, affordable care and schools that prepare them for success and opportunities that inspire their dreams. 

We owe it to our kids—and to the future of this state—to invest in our public schools, support our educators, and expand pathways to higher education and career training.

We must ensure our natural resources remain protected for the years and decades to come. 

Our environment is not just a part of Maine’s identity—it’s a key driver of our economy and the heart of our way of life. 

From our working forests and heritage industries like fishing and farming, Maine’s natural resources sustain our communities and drive key industries like tourism, outdoor recreation, and renewable energy.

This isn’t just about conservation; it’s about preserving jobs, supporting families, and ensuring that future generations can thrive here as we have. 

There will be many opportunities for compromise in this chamber, and we should embrace those moments when they arise. In fact, while it may not make headlines, it will be the majority of the work we do. 

But let me be clear: there are lines we will not cross. 

When it comes to civil rights, fundamental freedoms, and the basic dignity of every person in this state, we will stand firm. 

These are not matters of partisan debate; they are the foundation of who we are as a people and as a nation. 

Protecting these principles is our moral obligation, and it is what ensures Maine remains a place where everyone can live with fairness, respect, and opportunity. 

On these values, there is no compromise.

Because remember, every decision we make here affects the lives of real people— people who may look or think just like we do AND people who don’t —but all equally deserving of representation and fairness. 

Families struggling to make ends meet, seniors trying to age with dignity, kids striving for a better, more secure future…We owe it to all of them to lead with courage, compassion, and integrity.

This is a time for action, a time for hope, and a time to show Maine—and the nation—that progress is possible when we come together in good faith and with a shared sense of purpose. 

I am honored to serve alongside each of you, and I am ready to get to work.

Let’s get to it.