Dick’s Top Appointments

Dick Blumenthal has released the names of key staff members. Check them out, from Dick:

Blumenthal Announces Key Senate Staff

Senator-Elect Continues To Build Team To Serve Connecticut

(Hartford, CT.) Making good on his promise to assemble a top flight staff to serve the people of Connecticut, today Senator Elect Richard Blumenthal announced the addition of several key positions.

“I’m proud and honored to bring each of these people on board. With of wealth of experience and expertise, I know that they will be dedicated public servants committed to fighting for the people of our state,” said Blumenthal.

Key Staff:

Rich Kehoe, State Director: Kehoe will be based in Connecticut and serve as the Senator’s State Director. Kehoe was most recently Assistant Attorney General where he served as Special Counsel to the Attorney General. He holds a J.D. from Western New England Law School and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut. He is also currently town council chair and deputy mayor of East Hartford.

Maura Downes, Director of Constituent Services: Downes will be based in Connecticut and serve as the Senator’s Director of Constituent Services. Downes served as the Communications Director on the Blumenthal for Senate campaign. She has more than 15 years’ experience dealing with public and private sector communications and public affairs campaigns in Connecticut. Downes has also worked as a communications/policy strategist and press secretary for numerous state and legislative officials. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Randolph-Macon College and an M.P.A. in Public Administration from the University of Connecticut. A lifelong Connecticut resident, Downes lives in South Windsor with her husband and their two daughters.

Elizabeth Kanick, Deputy Chief of Staff: Kanick will be based in Washington DC and serve as the Senator’s Deputy Chief of Staff. Kanick was most recently the Executive Director of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO, a chartered Federal Advisory Commission at the U.S. Department of State Prior to her work at the State Department, she was administrative director for former U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in her official Senate office. Mrs. Kanick holds bachelors and masters degrees in public policy from Stony Brook University. Her family is originally from Westport.

Ty Matsdorf, Communications Director: Matsdorf will be based in Washington D.C. and serve as the Senator’s Communications Director. Matsdorf was most recently Senior Adviser to the Blumenthal For Senate Campaign. Prior to his work for Blumenthal, he was Communications Director for U.S. Senator Max Baucus.

Kate Hansen, Washington D.C. Press Secretary: Hansen will be based in Washington D.C. and serve as the Senator’s Washington D.C. Press Secretary. Originally from New Haven, she most recently served as the Communications Director for the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee. Prior to her work in Connecticut, Hansen was Communications Director for Congressman Patrick Murphy.

Blumenthal has previously announced that Laurie Rubiner, Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, will serve as his Chief of Staff.