A political action committee controlled by Rep. Laurel Libby got a big fundraising boost last month as she fought back against a House of Representatives vote to take away her voting and speaking privileges over a social media post identifying and criticizing a transgender high school athlete.

The Auburn Republican, who was already known as a prolific political fundraiser, was censured in late February when she refused to apologize for the post. She then sued House Speaker Ryan Fecteau in federal court, where the case is still pending.

Libby’s leadership PAC, Fight for Freedom, raised more than $34,000 in the first three months of 2025, according to reports posted this week. It’s a notable sum for a noncampaign year, boosting the PAC’s war chest to $105,000.

“Maine people are fed up with a man silencing a woman speaking up for girls, and I’m thankful for their strong support,” Libby said in a written statement in response to questions from the Press Herald.

Fight for Freedom, along with two other PACs on which Libby serves as a decision maker and fundraiser — Voter ID for ME and the Dinner Table — comprised three of the top five fundraisers for the quarter ending March 31. Voter ID and Dinner Table ranked first and fourth, respectively. Fight for Freedom was fifth.

Voter ID for ME, which is pushing a referendum for a voter ID requirement and other election reforms, including tightening rules for absentee voting, raised $521,000 in the first quarter. All but $21,000 came from the National Republican Legislative Committee.

The Dinner Table PAC raised $39,000, giving it a total of $70,000 in cash.

About 80% of the money raised by Fight for Freedom came in a four-day period that coincided with Libby’s announcement that she was suing House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, over her Feb. 25 censure.

Fecteau and House Democrats censured Libby for a social media post that included photos of a transgender girl who had won a girls pole vaulting title, showing their face and school and using their first name, prompting security concerns for the family and the school.

Libby used the post to criticize Maine’s policy of allowing transgender athletes to compete in school sports in accordance with their gender identity, rather than the gender assigned at birth. The post was questioned by members of both parties, who said children should not be used as political pawns, but the House broke along party lines about whether the censure was appropriate.

Under longstanding House rules, Libby could end the censure and regain her voice and voting privileges by issuing an apology, which she says she will not do. She’s still allowed to participate in committees and introduce legislation.

Libby’s censure helped raise her profile and led to appearances in national conservative media. And she use the attention to rally support.

“Will you stand with me today, and push back against this unconstitutional censure?” Libby said in a March 11 Facebook post that was liked by more than 4,200 people and shared 504 times as of noon Friday. “Please help me fight back by contributing to the ‘Stand with Laurel’ Legal Defense today! See link in the comments below!”

Donors contributed $13,000 on that day alone. Another $27,700 would flow into the PAC over the next three days, according to campaign finance records. And nearly all of it came from donors in Maine.

Fight for Freedom’s first quarter haul surpassed the $23,000 raised by the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

Libby’s PAC had spent only about $12,000 through March 31, but none of it appears to have gone toward legal services. Her largest expense was a $10,000 “development and consultation” fee for a business in Sanford. Other expenses include audio/visual equipment from the South Portland Apple store ($1,866) and from the New York City-based B&H Photo ($516).

A hearing about Libby’s lawsuit against Fecteau was held in U.S. District Court last week. It’s unclear when the judge will rule.

Libby did not directly answer a question about whether Patrick Strawbridge, a prominent Maine conservative attorney representing her and several of her constituents, is providing pro bono legal services.

Strawbridge represented President Donald Trump before the U.S. Supreme Court in a 2020 case about his taxes and is listed as a contributor to the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group founded by Leonard Leo, who helped secure the conservative majority on the nation’s top court and owns a home on Mount Desert Island.

A RISING STAR

“We are following the law regarding disclosure of PAC spending, and when Fight for Freedom commits to an expense for the legal case, that expense will be disclosed,” Libby said. “Unlike the taxpayer-funded defense, the agreement between plaintiffs and our attorney firm is a private matter.”

Libby has been a rising star in local Republican politics and her central role in the current transgender school athlete debate is stoking speculation about a run for higher office.

On March 31, Libby began raising money for the 2026 cycle, though it appears to be for reelection to her House seat. Her fundraising page advocates for repealing “green” energy policies, school choice, prohibiting transgender girls from girls sports, eliminating the income tax and reducing business regulations.

“Today, I’m asking you to come on board Team Libby 2026 with a contribution of any amount before our midnight end-of-the-quarter deadline,” she wrote. “I know a brighter vision for the future of Maine is possible, but only with your help!”

Legislative candidates who have raised or spent more than $1,000 don’t file their next campaign finance reports until July 15.