Advocacy Staff

MMA’s Advocacy Team is made up of five staff members who facilitate the legislative efforts of the Association. Municipal officials are encouraged to contact the advocacy staff with any questions, suggestions or comments they may have with respect to state legislation or regulation, in general, or MMA’s advocacy program. Staff may be reached at the Association’s toll-free number1-800-452-8786 or at the local number 207-623-8478.

Kate Dufour, Director of Advocacy & Communications

Extension #2213 or kdufour@memun.org

Kate has worked for MMA since 1995, served as the Director of the SFR Department from 2017 to 2021, and has been serving as Director of the Advocacy & Communications (A&C) Department since 2021. Kate received her BA degree and Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine. During the legislative session, Kate oversees the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) proceedings and covers any bills of municipal interest that are heard by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.


Laura Ellis, Advocacy Associate

Extension #2207 or lellis@memun.org

Laura has worked for MMA since 1997. She has served as the Advocacy Associate since 2001. Laura provides an array of administrative services to the advocacy department, including conducting the LPC election every even-numbered year, providing the administrative work associated with noticing and conducting all LPC meetings, coordinating all staff schedules and A & C communications and tracking the progress of all municipally related legislation throughout each legislative session. Laura is the person to contact with any questions about the Association’s Legislative Policy Committee or the current status of any legislation.  Laura is also the contact person if you would like any document or publication sent to you that was either created by A & C staff or referenced in any of the Department’s various publications or communications.


Rebecca Graham, Senior Legislative Advocate

Extension #2201 or rgraham@memun.org

Rebecca joined the Advocacy team starting in October 2017. Rebecca received her BA degree from the University of Southern Maine and Master of Laws, (LL.M) from the University of Ulster’s Transitional Justice Institute. Rebecca has worked in international election observation, and democratic governance evaluation, in former Soviet states. She serves as the chair of her local planning board and as an election clerk. Rebecca’s areas of advocacy are criminal justice & public safety, transportation, agriculture, insurance, land use and housing. The joint standing legislative committees Rebecca will work most closely with are:

  • Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
  • Criminal Justice & Public Safety
  • Health Coverage, Insurance & Financial Services
  • Housing (Joint Select Committee)
  • Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
  • Judiciary
  • State & Local Government
  • Transportation

Rebecca Lambert, Municipal Issues Specialist

Extension #2307 or rlambert@memun.org

Rebecca joined MMA in June 2018 and transferred to the A&C team in February 2022. Rebecca received her BS degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta. Rebecca has over 20 years of experience in the public service sector and serves on her local school board in her hometown. Rebecca’s areas of advocacy are education, energy and utilities, election issues, cannabis and right to know laws. The joint standing legislative committees Rebecca will work most closely with are:

  • Education & Cultural Affairs
  • Energy, Utilities & Technology
  • Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement & Business
  • Judiciary
  • State & Local Government
  • Veterans & Legal Affairs

Amanda Campbell, Legislative Advocate

Extension #2208 or acampbell@memun.org

Amanda joined the advocacy team in 2023 after serving for several years at the local level as Town Clerk, Tax Collector and Town Administrator. She holds a BS from the University of Maine at Farmington and has experience in the private sector as a former small business owner. Amanda currently serves on her local Assessment Review Board and as an election clerk. Amanda’s areas of advocacy are environment, human services, labor, marine resources, and taxation. The joint standing legislative committees Amanda will work most closely with are:

  • Environment & Natural Resources
  • Health & Human Services
  • Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
  • Labor & Housing
  • Marine Resources
  • Taxation