Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills announced today that, in accordance with state law, she has officially posted her cabinet nominees and has notified Senate President Troy Jackson, House Speaker Sara Gideon, and all departments in the Executive Branch of the nominations, officially initiating the legislative confirmation process.
“It is my honor to officially begin the confirmation process for these incredibly experienced and well-qualified public servants who will help usher in a new era of leadership in Maine,” said Governor Mills. “From lowering the cost of health care to addressing our workforce shortage, there are many challenges facing our state – but with these challenges also comes the opportunity to chart a better course. I look forward to working with the Legislature to put the Cabinet in place so we can begin our work on behalf of the people of Maine.”
Governor Mills has nominated:
- Patrick Keliher to continue serving as the Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources
- Anne Head to continue serving as the Commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation
- Major General Douglas Farnham to continue serving as the Commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management
- Gerald Reid to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection
- Michael Sauschuck to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety
- Randall Liberty to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections
- Heather Johnson to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development
- Pender Makin to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Education
- Laura Fortman to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Labor
- Jeanne Lambrew to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services
- Kirsten Figueroa to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services
- Judith Camuso to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Inland, Fisheries and Wildlife
- Bruce Van Note to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation
- John Rohde to serve as the Executive Director of the Workers’ Compensation Board
Governor Mills will announce, and officially nominate, her commissioner for the Department of Conservation, Agriculture and Forestry this week:
“From protecting the food we eat to stopping forest fires to helping farmers and much more, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is a critical agency with a tremendous impact on our state,” said Governor Mills. “I have interviewed a number of excellent, highly-qualified candidates and look forward to making an announcement about my nominee this week.”
Maine State Law requires that within 20 days of the convening of each legislative session, the governor provides each joint standing committee of the state Legislature a list of all positions requiring confirmation by the Legislature within their jurisdiction that have vacant or expiring terms before the Legislature’s next convening.
According to statute, Senate President Jackson and Speaker Gideon will now notify the appropriate chairs of the joint standing committees, the Legislative Information Office, and partisan staff to begin the legislative confirmation process. Public hearings for each nominee must occur within 30 days of today, followed by a committee vote within 35 days, and a Senate vote within 45 days.