Michael Thibodeau began his political career by becoming a Clean Elections candidate in 2006, subsequently winning re-election in 2008. He then moved to the state legislature, winning a seat in the Maine Senate in 2010 and securing re-election in 2012, during which he was named the Republican minority leader. Thibodeau's political career continued to advance when he was chosen as Senate President in 2014. Despite announcing a run for the 2018 Maine gubernatorial election, he withdrew from the race before it commenced.

Michael Thibodeau's political career reveals a consistent opposition to progressive social policies, particularly regarding same-sex marriage. His rhetorical style juxtaposes traditional conservative values with a surprising willingness to engage with cross-party interests on certain economic and industrial issues. Thibodeau's calculated approach to regional industrial interests suggests a strategic, if not entirely predictable, alignment of policy positions.