January 7, 2019 — The commercial fishing industry, including lobster harvesters, in the US state of Maine, got one of their holiday presents delivered a bit late. Newly elected governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, announced Thursday that she has renominated Patrick Keliher as commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources, the Portland (Maine) Press Herald reports.
Keliher was appointed to the post in 2011 by Republican governor Paul LePage and was not a sure bet to retain the position, though he has received significant industry support. The leaders of eight commercial fishing groups in the US’ second-largest seafood state wrote Mills in late November to express their support for his retention.
Mills has been filling out her cabinet in recent days, but saved the Keliher news to near the end. His name was included in an announcement that also noted the renominations of Ann Head as commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation, and Maj. Gen. Douglas Farnham as commissioner of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management.