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New Executive Director to Lead DGA
Colm O’Comartun, longtime O’Malley aide, to advance mission of Democratic governors

Washington, D.C. - Governor Martin O'Malley, chair of the Democratic Governors Association, announced that longtime aide and Director of the Governor's Office Colm O'Comartun will head the committee going into the 2011 and 2012 election years, as the governors lead the effort to revive the party.

O'Comartun, who also oversaw the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and Department of General Services, will take over the helm Jan. 2, 2011.

"Colm is one of the most skilled and loyal public servants I've ever worked with," Governor O'Malley said. "He's a strong fundraiser, excellent organizer and talented communicator. He's the right person to lead our resurgence and will highlight and support Democratic governors' efforts to restore the economy, strengthen our workforce and spur job creation."

"I'm honored to serve Gov. O'Malley and Democratic governors as we advance our collective mission of fighting for hardworking families and putting our country back on track," O'Comartun said. "Governors are true leaders, and they're making tough choices for their states every day even as their come up with innovative solutions to the problems we all face. It will be a privilege to serve and support them."

Gov. O'Malley praised outgoing Executive Director Nathan Daschle for his nearly six years of service, four of which were in his current position. With an unprecedented long-term strategic plan, Daschle propelled the DGA from a relatively obscure committee to one of D.C.'s most noted political organizations. Under Daschle's leadership, the DGA won the majority of its targeted races, trebled its political spending and played a critical role in winning key governors races.

"Nathan took the DGA to new heights, created an institution that had an impact on more than 50 races over the course of his tenure and stood out among political leaders in this country," O'Malley said of Daschle. "For those of us governors who benefited from Nathan's wisdom, leadership and sense of humor, he will be missed. We wish him all the best in his next endeavor."

"It was a privilege to serve our dedicated and talented governors for nearly six years, and to work with the exceptional candidates who ran for public office, and I thank them for the opportunity to serve" Daschle said. "I'd also like to thank our staff, the hardest working people in the business. I couldn't be more proud of what we accomplished."

O'Comartun has a long history of public service as a key player in several O'Malley administrations, having been the governor's political director during his gubernatorial campaigns and special assistant during his mayorship. O'Comartun was educated in his native Ireland at University College Dublin. After coming to the United States, he worked as the Assistant to the Director of Development at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and later as Director of Alumni Programs at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He was also Director of The Irish Institute of Boston College, where he worked to implement the Good Friday Agreement.

"Colm's wealth of experience in a governor's administration will be a key asset to our nine new governors as they start their time in office grappling with our shared challenges and restoring prosperity across the country," said Gov. Jack Markell, the immediate past chair of the DGA. "Colm's dedication to fighting for our values and his work on campaigns will serve our future governors well, too."

"Colm has the experience, talent and judgment to lead the DGA as Executive Director during this critical time in our nation's history," said Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, a former DGA chair. "As the DGA leads the Democratic resurgence, Colm's experience working with Governor O'Malley will be invaluable to ensuring Democratic governors win in 2011 and 2012. I look forward to continuing to work with Colm in his new role to support Democratic governors across the country."


Eric D. Schwerin
Rosemont Seneca Partners, LLC
1010 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Suite 705
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-1880
eschwerin@rosemontseneca.com
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