AUGUSTA, Maine — A retired general who would be the first woman to lead the Maine National Guard won a key confirmation vote on Monday despite three legislative Republicans opposing her nomination.
Retired Brig. Gen. Diane Dunn was nominated by Gov. Janet Mills last month to replace Adjutant General Douglas Farnham, who is retiring from nearly 40 years of military service after leading the guard and the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management since 2015.
The Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, which oversees the department, endorsed Dunn in an 8-3 vote on Monday that was marked by opposition from Republicans who questioned her stances on a libertarian-backed military policy and diversity initiatives. The Democratic-led Senate remains likely to confirm Dunn after the vote.
Dunn, 57, of Rome, retired in 2021 from the National Guard after a 33-year career. She became the first woman to command a brigade in the Army guard in 2014 and then became its first female general officer in 2020 when she rose to the rank of brigadier general. She has been the chief of staff to University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy since March 2023.
The recipient of numerous medals and decorations, Dunn has commanded battalions based in Afghanistan, Bangor and Augusta and has also served in leadership roles at U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and U.S. Army North at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
“Growing up in rural Maine. I learned the value of working hard and pursuing every opportunity possible,” Dunn said. “I set my sights on being the first person in my family to graduate from college, and I’m grateful that that was one of my many firsts.”
Dunn faced opposition Monday from a few Republicans on the committee. Rep. David Boyer, R-Poland, asked whether she would join Farnham in opposing “Defend the Guard” legislation that has popped up in several states over the years.
The movement wants to require Congress to make an official declaration of war before any state National Guard units are deployed overseas. Sen. Eric Brakey, a libertarian-leaning Republican from Auburn, introduced a “Defend the Guard” bill in 2023 that had a bipartisan mix of cosponsors, but the Senate and House each defeated the measure by wide margins.
The effort has gained momentum elsewhere, with the New Hampshire House of Representatives passing a similar bill last week. But Dunn echoed Farnham’s past line on the issue, saying the legislation conflicts with federal law.
Boyer joined Reps. Shelley Rudnicki, R-Fairfield, and John Andrews, R-Paris, in also asking Dunn about her view on diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the military.
“I believe that the military promotion system seeks to promote the best qualified individuals and that opportunities are not contingent on race and gender,” Dunn said.
Rep. Marc Malon, D-Biddeford, and other lawmakers also brought up Monday issues of mental health and sexual assault in the military. Farnham had initiated a review of how the National Guard handled sexual assault complaints after a Bangor Daily News investigation in 2021 revealed what several former soldiers called a “toxic” and “permissive” culture of sexual abuse.
Dunn said she will use recommendations from a governor’s council on National Guard sexual misconduct to “root out any unwelcome and inappropriate behavior.”
