Maine State Senator and Chair of the Labor and Housing Committee, Craig Hickman is the first Black lawmaker to serve in both chambers of the legislature. He is a former four term Maine State Legislator, organic farmer, award-winning memoir author, poet, performance artist, and chef. He is the first openly gay African-American in the Maine House of Representatives. He and his husband, Jop Blom, own Annabessacook Farm and Bed and Breakfast in Winthrop where they raise organically produce, dairy, and livestock.They host the Winthrop Community Gardens and a fresh food bank for those in need. He was the 2019 keynote speaker for the Common Ground Country Fair.

Craig is a graduate of Harvard University with a degree in government. His award-winning memoir Fumbling Toward Divinity chronicles his search and reunion with his biological family. A critically acclaimed theatrical performance artist, he’s a National Poetry Slam champion and the recipient of the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement.

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his father, a World War II veteran and Tuskegee airman, and his a mother inspired his life serving his community and feeding people. A past president and member of the Rotary Club of Winthrop and the Sons of the American Legion, he also serves on the MaineGeneral Prevention and Healthy Living Advisory Committee, University of Maine Augusta Board of Visitors, Winthrop Hot Meal Kitchen, and Winthrop Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. In 2011, Hickman received a Spirit of America Foundation Award for Community Service.

In 2018, Craig had a near death experience on his farm that resulted in serious burns across his body. His neighbors rallied around him and Jop as a thank you for the times they had given away food, cooked community dinners, or helped other farmers.

Highlights from his time as a legislator

• House Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry where he champions food sovereignty, security, and freedom; food processing infrastructure investments; and efforts to protect family farms and promote rural economic development.

• House Chair of the Maine Citizen Trade Policy Commission, which plays a vital role in advising Congress and the President of the United States to keep the people of Maine’s best interests at the forefront when negotiating international trade agreements that directly impact Maine’s workers, Maine’s heritage industries, Maine’s manufacturing sector, and Maine’s environment and natural resources.

• Senior member of the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs, which oversees voting rights, elections, campaign finance, liquor and cannabis regulations, landlord tenant relations, claims against the state, National Guard and veterans issues.

• He represented Maine as the elected delegate for the 2020 Democratic National Convention roll cal delivering the vote count for Maine.