About Sean Flaherty
“Growing up as a student-athlete in Scarborough, I learned the value of teamwork and sportsmanship. I will work with other lawmakers regardless of political party, to help serve the needs of the people in Scarborough.”- Sean Flaherty
- Graduate of Scarborough High School
- Graduate of the George Washington University – Washington, D.C.
- Experience and knowledge in the technology & communication fields
- Lifelong resident of Scarborough
- State Championship Swimmer For Scarborough High
Sean Flaherty, well known as a record-setting swimmer for Scarborough High School teams, declared his intent to Represent Scarborough’s House District 127 in March. Flaherty won a swimming scholarship to the George Washington University in Washington D.C., graduated in May, 2007, and has spent the last year working in the nation’s capital in government relations.
“Washington was a terrific experience,” Flaherty said. “But the fact is my heart is, and always has been here in Scarborough, and I want to jump into activities for the people of Scarborough. I hope the Legislature is a good place to get some good things done for the town.”
While at GW University, Flaherty majored in history and political science. Since graduation Flaherty worked for the American Association for Justice. He said the job has been invigorating and educational.
“I have learned a lot,” Flaherty said. “I have gotten to see the political and government process all over the country. I would really like to put this knowledge and my energy to work for the people of Scarborough.”
While at Scarborough High, Flaherty made statewide headlines by achieving an undefeated swimming race record during four years. He still holds records in a number of swimming pools in Maine, including Cape Elizabeth, Bates College, and Greely.
He is also known among history buffs as the winner of the annual Peaks to Portland Swim Race, a fundraiser for the YMCA of Portland. Competitors jump into the water at Peaks Island and swim to the mainland near East End Beach in Portland. The race, known for its cold water and endurance requirements, was won three times by Flaherty, who still owns the course record for the 2.5 mile swim.
“Swimming was a terrific experience for me at Scarborough. It is a great team sport. You learn to work with everyone. You learn to respect people for their individual abilities. When you are trying to win a team relay, you don’t care where a person was born, or how old they are; you just care how they can help Scarborough High School. I look at politics and government the same way. I want to be able to work with anyone,” Flaherty said. Flaherty, who also was two-time Maine Forensic League Debate Champion in Maine, said his generation can help the state of Maine and Scarborough as we head further into the 2lst century.
“My generation has a great stake in the way the world is changing. We have grown up with different skills and events shaping our lives. Communication and technology allow us to be in touch with people all over the world. This has changed everything–from the way we do business in Maine, competing in the world economy, to they way we protect our environment. This is good news for Maine, I think. This makes us closer to many markets,” Flaherty said.
On June 10th, Flaherty officially became his party’s nominee for the State House seat by collecting more than 600 votes in the primary.
To contact Sean and find out more information about the campaign, e-mail SeanFlahertyForScarborough@gmail.com