Joseph Leonard

Joe was raised in a military family environment during his formative years and was blessed to experience much of the world and the United States before the age of ten. Joe graduated from John Bapst Memorial High School in 2008 and proceeded immediately to the University of Maine becoming a member of the community service organization Alpha Delta, graduating with a B.A. in English, and commissioning as a United States Army officer in 2012.

After initially serving in the Arizona National Guard from 2013 - 2014, Joe returned to Maine to serve in Maine's National Guard from 2014 - 2019, he was tasked and diligently focused on logistical, repair, strategic planning, and safety operations. He simultaneously served as a manager for downtown Bangor's Evenrood's restaurant. During the pandemic, Joe co-created, produced, and hosted the podcast "In the Clear" to help fight against COVID-19 disinformation and discuss pressing issues.

Joe has been an activist since he was first motivated to help fight for same-sex marriage in 2010, and has continued to fight for social and economic justice causes in Maine. Joe has previously served the city of Bangor's Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights; Downtown Parking Advisory Committee; Board of Appeals; and is a member of the Maine Rail Group fighting to expand passenger rail service in Maine. Joe is currently pursuing an M.A. in Economics at the University of Maine.