Pingree turns to former chief of staff to lead upcoming administration

As Gov.-elect Hannah Pingree and her transition committee work to fill her future cabinet, she announced Thursday that Jesse Connolly will serve as her chief of staff.

The longtime political strategist has most recently served as chief of staff for Hannah Pingree’s mother, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, overseeing her Washington, D.C. and Maine operations, managing legislative and constituent service teams, and serving as a senior adviser on policy and political strategy. 

Prior to that, he worked for Hannah Pingree for four years as chief of staff during her time as speaker and majority leader of the Maine House of Representatives.

“Jesse is one of the most capable, strategic, and trusted leaders I have ever worked with, and I am grateful he is joining my administration,” Hannah Pingree said in a press statement. “When I was speaker and majority leader, he helped me manage a complex legislative agenda and build a team that delivered for Maine people. He has since held some of the most demanding roles in Maine and national politics, and he understands how to turn big goals into real results. I can’t think of anyone better to lead my team.”

Connolly, who lives in South Portland, also previously managed several statewide and national campaigns, including two Maine gubernatorial races and the successful 2005 campaign to defeat a referendum repealing Maine’s LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination law. 

Earlier this week, the governor-elect announced the members of her transition committee, who will work with committee co-chairs former Republican state Sen. Roger Katz and former Penobscot Ambassador Maulian Bryant to identify candidates to serve in her administration. 

Hannah Pingree will be sworn in as Maine’s 76th governor on Jan. 6.