Craig Hickman


Craig Hickman is an African-American writer, farmer and Democratic politician from the state of Maine. Elected in 2012, he is serving in the 126th Maine House of Representatives as the representative for Maine's 82nd district. Hickman won his 2012 primary election by nearly 80%, and campaigned on ending hunger, eliminating regulations for small farms and businesses, and investing in sustainable energy initiatives.

Early life and career

Hickman was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on December 8, 1967. He attended high-school at Rufus King High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was valedictorian. Hickman attended college at Harvard University, graduating in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in Government. He first ran for the Maine House in 2010, losing to incumbent Patrick Flood. In 2012 he won his primary election by a sizable margin, and then the general election on November 6, 2012, beating Republican Scott Davis 59%–41%. Two years later, in the midst of a Republican wave, Hickman won re-election against Republican Lee Fellman by a landslide margin, 65%-35%.

Personal life

Hickman currently lives in Winthrop, Maine, with his partner, Jop Blom. He is one of six openly gay members of the Maine Legislature, alongside Sen. Justin Chenette and Reps. Matt Moonen, Ryan Fecteau, Lois Galgay Reckitt and Andrew McLean.
He operates the 25-acre historic Annabessacook Farm Bed & Breakfast, where he regularly serves free meals to underprivileged citizens. Hickman also writes one of the top-ranked independent sports blogs on the internet, and is past President of the Winthrop Area Rotary Club.
Hickman was seriously burned on July 10, 2018 while attempting to light a brush pile on fire.

Achievements

Hickman's book Fumbling Toward Divinity was a finalist in the Spirituality category at the 2006 Lambda Literary Awards. In addition, he has received a fellowship from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a Gertrude Johnson Literary Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, and a Spirit of America Foundation Award.

Books