By The Maine Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors
Garrett Mason is a Maine native with roots that go back generations. Born in Lewiston, Maine, he was raised in Lisbon Falls, where both sides of his family have lived for over 200 years. He is a 2006 graduate of Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Marketing.
After college, Mason worked in Maine’s vibrant sports administration field, serving in various roles for the Portland Sea Dogs (AA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox) and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Lewiston MAINEiacs. It was serving in these roles that prompted his calling for public service.
In 2010, Mason entered the race for State Senate. He defeated an 18-year incumbent by 11% of the vote and served for eight years representing Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties in the Senate. His peers elected him to serve as Majority Leader at 29 years old — the youngest in state history. He is the only Mainer in over 50 years to serve back-to-back terms as Majority Leader.
During his time in the Maine State Legislature, Mason has served various committee assignments, including Criminal Justice and Public Safety; Education and Cultural Affairs; Government Oversight; Energy, Utilities, and Technology; and Veterans and Legal Affairs.
In 2018, Mason ran for the Republican nomination for Governor. He placed second in the first-ever statewide ranked-choice election in America.
He was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2018 by his alma mater, Pensacola Christian College, for his contributions to conservative politics.
Garrett lives in Lisbon Falls with his wife, Rebekah, and their daughter, Piper.
Keith Herrick has served as a government affairs specialist for more than 10 years. Prior to joining Dirigo, Keith was a senior government affairs specialist with Maine Street Solutions, the lobbying arm of Verrill Dana, and held various positions in Republican politics, including as a legislative aide to the Senate Republicans, Political Director for the Maine Senate Republican Majority PAC, and campaign manager for the Courtney for Congress campaign. Most recently, Keith served as a senior campaign advisor to the Mason for Governor campaign. Currently, Keith is the Campaign Director for the Maine House Republicans responsible for recruiting candidates and implementing the House Republican leaders’ statewide strategy. Keith has also served as a political advisor to various state legislative campaigns, congressional campaigns and political action committees.
At Dirigo, Keith utilizes his vast experience to lead our grassroots and grasstops advocacy, coalition building, public affairs, data collection, and social media ad campaigns, and design and implement our lobbying efforts.
At the State House, Keith focuses on workforce development, telecommunications, the medical and recreational marijuana industry, healthcare policy, beverage container recycling, education and the budget process to include state bonding efforts.
Keith serves as a Munitions’ Specialist in the Maine Air National Guard in Bangor in his spare time. Over his 12 year career, Keith has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal twice and was honored as the 439th Airlift Wing’s Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter in 2012.
Keith is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and often volunteers in his community as a coach for youth and high school basketball.
Keith grew up in Windham, Maine, and he currently resides in Gardiner with his wife, Leslie, and their sons, Maddox and Emmit.
