Mike Brunelle
| Mike Brunelle | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Role: | Former chief of staff |
| Location: | Harrisburg, Pa. |
| Affiliation: | Democrat |
| Education: | University of New Hampshire |
| Prior Experience | |
| Chief of staff, Tom Wolf gubernatorial administration, 2017 to 2021 | |
Mike Brunelle is a Democratic political advisor in the state of Pennsylvania. From 2017 to 2021, Brunelle was the chief of staff for Gov. Tom Wolf (D).[1] Brunelle took the position in January 2017 when Mary Isenhour stepped down as chief of staff to join Wolf's re-election campaign.[2] He resigned on June 25, 2021, to take a position in the private sector.[3]
Early career
Democratic Party of New Hampshire
- See also: Democratic Party of New Hampshire
After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, Brunelle began working in state politics. He served as the executive director of the Democratic Party of New Hampshire from 2008 to 2011 and was chair of the Manchester City Democrats.[4]
New Hampshire House of Representatives
From 2010 to 2011, Brunelle represented the Hillsborough 10 district in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, where he served as the Democratic whip. He left the legislature to join the Pennsylvania chapter of the Service Employees International Union. A special election to replace him was held on February 21, 2012.[5] He was replaced by Peter Sullivan (D).[6]
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Brunelle was appointed to these committees:
Elections
2010
On November 2, 2010, Brunelle won election to the New Hampshire House of Representatives.[7][8]
| New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 10 general election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
 Patrick Long (D)
|
813 | |||
| Jean Jeudy (D)
|
715 | |||
| Michael Brunelle (D)
|
700 | |||
| Chuck Thibault (R) | 660 | |||
| Corey Cormiea (R) | 540 | |||
| Muni Savyon (R) | 486 | |||
Campaign donors
2010
In 2010, a year in which Brunelle was up for re-election, he did not collect any money in donations.[9]
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
- See also: Service Employees International Union
From 2011 to 2014, Brunelle was the executive director of the Pennsylvania chapter of the SEIU. He organized legislative programs at the state level in that position until moving to Washington, D.C., to serve as the organization's national campaigns director, managing SEIU issues campaigns in 26 states.[1]
Tom Wolf administration
Special assistant, 2015-2017
Brunelle became a special assistant in Wolf's administration in 2015, leaving his position at SEIU. His initial responsibilities included working on the state budget. He was also in contact with SEIU during this time, a relationship that was legally permissible but was criticized by Republicans in the Pennsylvania Legislature. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Republican lawmakers disapproved of the way Brunelle contacted the SEIU before legislators when unveiling budget proposals.[10]
Chief of staff
On January 31, 2017, Gov. Tom Wolf (D) announced that Brunelle would replace Mary Isenhour as chief of staff. Isenhour transitioned to Wolf's re-election campaign. In announcing Brunelle's promotion, Wolf said, "Mike brings a diverse array of experience, and he knows state government inside and out. I am confident that Mike will ensure there is a seamless transition."[11] Brunelle resigned to take a position in the private sector on June 25, 2021.[3]
Chief of staff
- See also: Gubernatorial chiefs of staff
In 2017, Ballotpedia identified Mike Brunelle as a gubernatorial chief of staff. A chief of staff is the lead staff member of an administration and is responsible for implementing the governor's agenda.
The role is both a managerial and advisory position, although specific duties vary by administration. The chief of staff typically has the following responsibilities, according to the National Governors Association (NGA):[12]
- Control access to the governor and manage the governor's calendar;
- Monitor the flow of information to the governor on policy issues;
- Oversee gubernatorial Cabinet and staff; and
- Manage and communicate the governor's policy agenda to the state legislature and the public.
In terms of policymaking, the NGA notes that a chief of staff is responsible for bringing policy and communications together: "The chief is responsible for overseeing the development of the governor’s policy agenda. The policy director or advisor is typically responsible for shaping the general concepts and specific details of the agenda with input from the communications director, policy staff and cabinet members. The chief often must take charge and bring the pieces together coherently."[12]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Office of Gov. Tom Wolf, "Cabinet and Executive Officials," archived October 4, 2020
- ↑ Office of Gov. Tom Wolf, "Governor Wolf Announces Personnel Change," January 31, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Penn Live, "Tom Wolf’s chief of staff, budget secretary to leave Pa. governor’s office," June 24, 2021
- ↑ New Hampshire Union Leader, "Top NH democrat headed to Penn. to work for union," July 6, 2011
- ↑ NH Insider, "Democratic Leader Mike Brunelle Leaving New Hampshire for Pennsylvania," July 6, 2011
- ↑ Union Leader, "Democrat Sullivan wins House seat in special election," February 21, 2012
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2010 Primary Election Results," accessed May 16, 2014
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2010 General Election Results," accessed May 16, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2010 campaign contributions," accessed June 17, 2014
- ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Wolf and SEIU far too ‘cozy,’ says House GOP caucus," August 23, 2015
- ↑ Penn Live, "Governor Wolf's chief of staff goes on campaign duty," January 31, 2017
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 National Governors Association, "The Many Roles of the Governor’s Chief of Staff," accessed April 20, 2021
