Maynard had a 10-year career in local and regional government prior to his election to the state senate.

Maynard narrowly won election to the senate in 2006, defeating his Republican opponent state representative Lenny Winkler by 51.4% to 48.6%, a margin of 832 votes.

He was re-elected in 2010 in an unusual campaign which was waged in cooperation with his Republican opponent Stuart Norman.

[2] Maynard served as Assistant Majority Whip and as Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

[3] In the early morning hours of July 21, 2014, Maynard fell on the steps outside of his home in Stonington, CT.