Richard M. Cebra (born May 18, 1964) is an American politician from Maine. A Republican, he represented Maine House of Representatives District 101, which included Casco, Naples and part of Poland from 2004-2012. He was elected to the 128th Legislature in November 2016 serving district House District 68 which includes the towns of Naples, Sebago, Baldwin, Cornish and Part of Parsonsfield. Following his initial departure from the legislature in 2012, he served as Chairman of the Maine Republican Party from which he stepped down in 2013. Cebra is known as a social and fiscal conservative, as well as a close ally of Governor Paul LePage.
Early life and education
-
Cebra graduated from the Eastern Christian High School in North Haledon, New Jersey in 1982. He studies theology at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Personal life
“Cebra has been married to his wife Philippa since 1991, He has two adult children, and one grandson.[3]
Cebra had previously served on the Naples Budget Committee for five years. He is a founding member of Naples Main Street and the Naples Causeway Restoration Committee. Cebra is currently a Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor in the Town of Naples, and also serves as a Commissioner on the Naples Casco Bulky Waste Facility Board.
Cebra is former chairman of the Cumberland County Republican Committee, and is also active on the Naples Republican Committee, as well as a founder of the Lakes Region Republican Club. An avid shooter and outdoorsman, Cebra is a Life Member of National Rifle Association.â€
Cebra is a Creedal, Covenantal, and Confessional Reformed Christian.
Business experience
Cebra began as a self-employed project manager and systems technician in the professional video and trade show field.
In 1995, he became the Operations Manager, MSI Communications, Inc., an ESOP computer networking company.
In 2001, he became the owner of Steamboat Landing, a tourism based business which includes a mini-golf course in Naples.
Maine House of Representatives
In November 2004, Cebra was elected to represent the 101st House District in the Maine State Legislature. He was re-elected in 2006, 2008, 2010.
In November 2016 was elected to represent house District 68, the Towns of Naples, Sebago, Baldwin, Cornish and Part of Parsonsfield.
In the Maine House of Representatives, Cebra has served on the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (1 term), The Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government (1 term), The Joint standing Committee on Transportation (4 terms, 2 years as House Chairman), The House Committee on Ethics (Chairman) (1 term), and the Joint Select Committee on Joint Rules (1 term).
Cebra was appointed to the Commission to Reapportion Maine's Congressional Districts in 2011.
Time in Legislature
He worked with members of both parties to pass LD 2313 "An Act to Keep Maine Bridges Safe" in 2008.
As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, Cebra had multiple legislative successes defending the Second Amendment rights of Mainers.
Sponsored and lead the efforts on the Turnpike Reform Bill which was passed into law and brought much needed reform to the corrupt Maine Turnpike Authority.
Sponsored and got passed into law a bill that Banned Traffic enforcement cameras in Maine.
Eliminated the Automatic increases in gas taxes stopping a decades old practice of automatic increases to the gas and diesel fuel taxes.
Protected personal privacy of Maine citizens.
Cosponsored and helped craft a compromise bill to bring Maine into compliance with the Federal Real ID program.
As a sponsor in the 123rd Legislature and a private citizen Cebra sponsored and supported the efforts over the years to make Maine a Constitutional Concealed Carry state, and attended the bill signed into law in 2015 as a former co-sponsor.
Chairman of the Maine Republican Party
Following the resignation of the previous chairman of the Maine Republican Party, Charlie Webster, Cebra submitted his name for election as the new chairman. Following a meeting of the party leadership in Augusta, Maine in December 2012, he was elected to serve as party chairman.
After his election, Cebra stated that his goal was to "unify the party" following a series of well-publicized inter-party squabbles.
Cebra served as the Republican Chairman on the Statewide Redistricting Commission in 2013.
Resignation
Cebra resigned as chair of the Maine State Republican Party on July 3, 2013, citing "personal reasons."
According to Maine Republican Party bylaws, a new election was held on July 20, for the selection of a new chairman. Former Senate President Richard A. Bennett, was elected to replace Cebra.