Bill Slavick


Bill Slavick is an American retired professor and peace activist who ran for the U.S. Senate in Maine as an independent in the 2006 election. He came in third place, receiving 5.2% of the vote.

Politics and activism

Slavick has been involved in religious and secular efforts to advance progressive causes, mostly opposed to American foreign policy. Slavick served for 23 years as coordinator of Pax Christi Maine, the Catholic and ecumenical peace movement. He is a member of the Elizabeth Madox Roberts Society, Catholic Organizations for Renewal, Veterans for Peace, and on the board of the Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church.
On his website, Slavick stated that he joined the Senate race to oppose the Iraq War.
His wife, Ursula, served as Portland Teachers’ Association president. Both are leaders of the Sacred Heart/St.Domnic Church sponsorship of Christ Roi School in Morne Rouge, Haiti. They have six living children and nine grandchildren. They reside in Portland.
Slavick has published hundreds of articles and numerous letters on social justice and peace subjects in state and national publications. His scholarly writing, including DuBose Heyward, focuses on modern Southern fiction. He organized the Downeast Southern Renascence Conference in 1978 and the Elizabeth Madox Roberts Centenary Conference in 1981.
In academé, Slavick contributed significantly to faculty shared governance, originated the USM honors program, chaired faculty bodies including the Maine Association of University Professors Conference, led in initiating faculty collective bargaining, and organized academic and peace conferences. He served on the board of Citizens for Educational Freedom.