A Democrat, she serves in the Maine Senate representing District 31, which includes her residence in Saco, as well as the towns of Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Limington and part of Buxton.
[2] Her mother and grandfather worked in mills and factories, and Bailey was one of the first Head Start students as a young child.
She began working at age 14 and graduated from Berlin High School in 1979, continuing to Bates College where she earned a degree in European history in 1979.
[2] Bailey credits a maternal great aunt, Hilda Brungot, with inspiring her to pursue a law career.
[2] Beginning her legal career in real estate law, Bailey worked for the Maine Title Company for four years before opening a private practice in 1991.