In the House, Michaud represented Medway and East Millinocket. In the Maine Senate, Michaud represented the following towns: Charlotte, Cooper, Crawford, Dennysville, Eastport, Indian Township Indian Reservation, Lubec, Meddybemps, Pembroke, Perry, Pleasant Point, and Union. As Chair of the Energy Committee, he helped to increase the cost of dumping. In 1994, he ran for Maine's 3rd Senate district. Despite the fact that it was a Republican wave year, he defeated incumbent State Senator Margaret Ludwig, a millionaire, 58%-42%. In 1996, he won re-election to a second term with 64% of the vote. In 1998, he won re-election to a third term with 77% of the vote. In 2000, he won re-election to a fourth term with 69% of the vote. During his years in the state legislature, he continued to work at the Great Northern Paper Company until his election to Congress. To accommodate his legislative schedule, he changed his factory shifts, for instance by working weekends. From 1994–1996, Michaud was appointed to Governor Angus King's Productivity Realization Task Force. In 1997, he was appointed to the Maine Commission on Children's Health Care. After the 1998 election, the Maine Senate found itself divided into 17 Republicans, 17 Democrats and one Independent. In a compromise organization, each party agreed to assume the Senate Presidency for one year, with the single Independent awarded the chair of the crucial Appropriations Committee. Accordingly, in December 2000, Michaud was unanimously elected President of the Maine Senate. In 2001, Mike was honored with the dedication of the Michael H. Michaud Technology Center for helping to secure state funding for the University of Maine at Presque Isle Houlton Higher Education Center. He also received the College Board's Education Award at the National Council of State Legislatures annual meeting. Michaud ran for Congress in 2002 for Maine's 2nd congressional district after incumbent Democrat John Baldacci decided to run for Governor of Maine. Michaud faced three other state senators in the Democratic primary. He won the primary with a plurality of 31% of the vote, beating the second place challenger, Susan W. Longley, by 4 percentage points. The general election garnered considerable publicity because Michaud was anti-abortion, while the Republican was pro-abortion rights. Republican Kevin Raye, of Perry, was the Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe. Michaud defeated Raye, 52%–48%.