Independent New England
2016 Election
1982 Election
1994 Election
Dione Stellavem and MacGuire Altamont
The
Acadia Statehood Party is a
New England political party that advocates for the separation of Southern and Northern Maine (
Acadia). Founded during the Vergil administration in 1982 by
Flemming Herbert, the party ran on a platform strongly attacking the national political parties. The party played a role in the "
Ruggerio Revolution" of 1982, winning various Acadian local elections on a platform attacking the moderate and liberal representation of Northern Maine. A great moment for the ASP was party founder Flemming Herbert winning the
1986 Maine 4th Parliamentary District Election in a shockingly large victory. The parliamentary representation of the party dramatically increased its influence on Maine and nationwide politics, leading to the 1991 Acadia Statehood referendum. The referendum became a divisive issue in New England politics, with newly elected Prime Minister Artz supporting the ''no'' campaign, but many conservative members of the Constitutional Conservative Party supporting the "yes" campaign. The "no" campaign won a resounding victory in the referendum, leading to both ASP members of Parlament losing re-election. Herbert stayed on as party leader until his 2002 arrest for tax fraud. As of 2017, the ASP has six seats in the Maine legislature, with Ethan L. Mattis winning a seat in the 2016 Maine elections.