George J. Mitchell

Note: Middle initial used to disambiguate from George Mitchell (musician)

George John Mitchell (born August 20, 1933) was a United States Senator from Maine from 1980 to 1995. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was an attorney from the 1960s until he was appointed to the Senate in May 1980 by the governor when Edmund Muskie resigned to become U.S. Secretary of State. He was elected in 1982, reelected in 1988 and did not run for reelection in 1994. While in the Senate he became one of the most powerful lawmakers, serving as Senate Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995. Since 1995 he has been active in the Northern Ireland peace process.

On March 4, 2004, he was named Chairman of the Walt Disney Company following a 43% dissention in the reelection of Michael Eisner, though the decision to replace Eisner had been made ahead of time.

Preceded by: Ed Muskie

U.S. Senators from Maine

Succeeded by: Olympia Snowe