Pingree opens job applications

Governor-elect Hannah Pingree launched a transition website on Tuesday. The site allows residents to apply for positions in her administration. She won the gubernatorial race against Republican Bobby Charles and independent Rick Bennett. With about 92 percent of votes counted as of Wednesday afternoon, Pingree received 55 percent of the vote. Charles received 36.9 percent, and Bennett received 8 percent.

Pinigree, 50, will serve as Maine’s 76th governor. She takes office on Jan. 6, succeeding Gov. Janet Mills. Mills, a 78-year-old Farmington native, is leaving office after her term expires. Numerous commissioners under Mills have already stepped down or announced their intent to do so. Pingree must assemble a team of commissioners to oversee more than a dozen departments. She also needs to hire staffers for the governor’s office.

During a Wednesday news conference in Fort Allen Park, Pingree invited Mainers to visit hannahpingreetransition.com. Applicants must submit a resume and a cover letter. They must also indicate one office or department of interest. Applications are confidential. The team will review submissions on a rolling basis this month. There is no deadline for applying.

Maine has not seen a two-term Democratic governor pass power to a fellow Democrat since 1850. The state last elected Republican governors to more than two consecutive terms in 1952. Pingree served as speaker of the Maine House from 2008 to 2010. She led Mills’ policy office from 2019 until she launched her gubernatorial bid last year. She is the second woman to lead the state.

Pinigree said she wants to work with Mainers of all stripes. She cited her bipartisan accomplishments during her time as speaker. Democrats expanded their majorities in each chamber of the Legislature in Tuesday’s election. Pingree said she looks forward to working with Democrats, Republicans, and independents.

State law requires the governor-elect to establish a transition committee. This group helps assemble the Cabinet and staff. A separate committee plans the inauguration. The state provides $5,000 to support the inauguration and transition process. The governor-elect may fundraise to cover other costs. The transition website includes a donation option for the inauguration.

Pinigree said, “I’m grateful to the voters who sent a strong group of leaders to the State House, and I look forward to working with every one of them, Democrats, Republicans and independents, to get things done for Maine people.” She added, “We’re heading into a hard winter and we’re going to need to get to work.” The website states she is committed to building an administration that reflects integrity, compassion, service, and shared optimism.