Senator-Elect Troy Jackson Announces Transition Leadership Team, Begins Preparations to Take Office

Senator-elect Troy Jackson announced Friday that his transition to the United States Senate is officially underway, naming longtime chief of staff BJ McCollister as chair of his transition committee, political advisor Christine Kirby as deputy chair, and campaign manager Hilary Barrett and deputy campaign manager Dan Gottlieb as his official transition aides.

BJ McCollister, Jackson's longtime chief of staff during his tenure as Senate President, will chair the transition committee. Christine Kirby, who served as a senior political advisor to Jackson's Senate campaign will serve as deputy chair. McCollister is the President of Frame Strategies, who led the paid media production and strategy for Jackon’s campaign and managed the caucus nominating campaign for Jackson. Kirby previously worked as Jackson’s communications director during his tenure as Senate President and Senate Minority Leader and worked for the Maine Children’s Alliance.

Hilary Barrett, who managed Jackson's successful Senate campaign, and Dan Gottlieb, who served as communications director and deputy campaign manager, have been designated as official transition aides. Barrett previously served as executive director of the Nevada State Democratic Party and worked for U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. Gottlieb previously served as communications director for Virginia’s redistricting referendum, West Coast press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and senior communications advisor to the Democratic Party of Georgia during Senator Raphael Warnock's 2022 reelection campaign.

In the coming weeks, the transition team will announce additional members of a transition committee and a smaller group of advisors who will help inform the establishment of Jackson's Senate offices and priorities. The team will also begin reviewing applications for positions in Washington, D.C., and Maine.

Mainers interested in sharing ideas, offering input, or contacting the transition team can email transition@troyjackson.org. Individuals interested in employment opportunities in Senator-elect Jackson's office are encouraged to submit their résumés to apply@troyjackson.org. Additional announcements regarding the transition process, advisory groups, and staffing will be made in the coming weeks.