Biddeford Councilor Dylan Doughty resigning, moving out of ward
Biddeford City Councilor Dylan Doughty announced his resignation Thursday.
Doughty represents Ward 4, which covers the area surrounding Biddeford High School. He said in a social media post that he is leaving his seat because of a move that will take him out of the ward. The city charter requires councilors to live in the ward they represent.
“The trust and confidence that the residents of Ward 4 placed in me to serve as their representative has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Doughty wrote on Facebook. “I will always be deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and to work alongside my fellow councilors, city staff, and the many residents who care so deeply about Biddeford’s future.”
Ward 4 residents elected Doughty in a 2024 special election to succeed Bob Mills, who had resigned.
Doughty was reelected in 2025, receiving 430 votes; Mills, who ran against Doughty, received 340.
At the time, Doughty said he ran for the Ward 4 City Council seat because the city needed to “prioritize transparency.”
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“While we’ve made good progress in some areas, I still feel we have much work ahead of us,” Doughty said in 2025.
In his social media post Thursday, Doughty wrote that he and his husband, Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, spent more than a year trying to find a home in both of their districts but eventually landed on a home that’s outside of Ward 4.
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Doughty said in an emailed statement that he would miss working alongside his fellow councilors to address the challenges facing Biddeford.
“These issues will need diligence solving, and I am saddened to be leaving my seat at such a critical time,” he wrote. “But I have full faith in my fellow councilors, Mayor (Liam) LaFountain and our city staff in addressing these issues, and I will be offering my full support as a former elected official.”
Doughty also said he intends to find other ways to serve the community as a resident but has no plans to return to elected office at this time.
In a written statement, LaFountain praised Doughty for his “thoughtfulness and preparation” in approaching his role on the council.
Doughty served Ward 4 and the city with “steadiness, integrity and a genuine commitment to thoughtful public service,” the mayor said.
“He did his homework, asked fair and well-researched questions and took the time to understand an issue before reaching a conclusion,” LaFountain added. “His perspective and his approach will be missed on the council, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside him.”
The City Council will consider whether to accept Doughty’s resignation at its meeting Tuesday. If accepted, LaFountain will have 30 days to appoint a replacement who will serve the remainder of Doughty’s term, which expires December 2027.
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Sydney is a community reporter for Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel and previously reporter for the Courier and Post. Sydney grew up in Kennebunk and is a graduate. More by Sydney Richelieu
