As I surmised last week, Gov. Jim Douglas has appointed his campaign manager, Dennise Casey, as his new deputy chief of staff. That Casey would wind up back in the governor's office after the campaign never seemed in doubt. She did the same switch from campaign to staff two years ago.
What is kind of interesting is that she will now be the governor's chief liaison to the Legislature. After a campaign in which Douglas had some not-very-nice things to say about the House speaker, who was his opponent, some legislators might find Casey on the incendiary side.
Then again, people have a way of moving on.
Casey replaces Betsy Bishop, who moved to commissioner of Economic Development.
This more than likely also means Heidi Tringe will be the governor's next spokesman. After six years of having the same person - Jason Gibbs - represent the governor to the media there could be a noticeable change. Tringe most recently was an adviser in the governor's office, and before that the communications person at the Agency of Human Services.
That position, last I knew, was still open. An opportunity for the governor to offer up a vacant job for elimination?
- Terri Hallenbeck
