Rep. Samuel Lewis Zager

Rep. Sam Zager is serving his third term in the Maine House of Representatives. 

Zager is a Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, with an honors degree in history. He attended the University of Oxford as a FitzGerald scholar, completing his dissertation on race and earning a master of philosophy in economic and social history. While in England, he also worked at the U.S. Embassy in London, and was a collegiate rower.

During 11 years in uniform, Zager served at sea and ashore, including assignments with other military branches and federal departments. Designated a naval intelligence officer, he also qualified as a military parachutist, submarine crew member and aircraft carrier conning officer. He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, and received numerous awards and commendations.

Zager then resigned his commission to become a community-based doctor. After pre-medical classes at the University of Washington in Seattle, he received a degree from Harvard Medical School. Rep. Zager then graduated from the Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency. He became a staff family physician at Martin's Point Health Care, where he is currently practicing, as well as a volunteer doctor at the Deering High School-based health center. Zager has also helped train new physicians for Maine as a Tufts University School of Medicine assistant clinical professor.

Zager has published research and writings focused on the social determinants of health and the structure of healthy communities. He is a lifetime fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and has served on the boards of the Portland Public Library and the Maine Academy of Family Physicians. He is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Deering Post #6859 and Temple Beth El synagogue in Portland.

Military service, medical work and personal travels have brought Zager to six continents and over 40 states. He enjoys running and biking, fiction and nonfiction and anything about history.

Rep. Zager's wife, Tracy, has worked as an elementary school teacher, author, editor and math coach. Their two daughters attend Portland Public Schools and all four Zagers are dog lovers.