Michael Downes Tapped By State Senate GOP Leader As CT Senate Republican Office Chief of Staff

NORTH BRANFORD, CT — Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding announced that Michael P. Downes of North Branford will be the Senate Republican Office’s next Chief of Staff, replacing John Healey beginning next month.

Downes is currently the Town Manager of North Branford and has served in that chief executive role since 2022. He was elected to North Branford’s town council four times.

In an email to Patch, Downes said he "deeply appreciates the opportunity the North Branford Town Council gave me to serve the residents of the community I was born and raised in."

"I am especially grateful for the opportunity I have had to work with such an amazing town staff - these are hardworking dedicated public servants who are tireless in their effort to make our amazing little town the best it can be," Downes said. "I thank the Council, the staff, and the residents who have given me such great support in this role. I am looking forward to the new challenges that await me, and I will always remember the great people I had the privilege to work with here."

What does Downes departure mean for the town?

Downes said the Town Council will have to name an interim Town Manager and "decide how they would like to proceed in conducting a search for a new town manager."

He said it's expect there will be more information available in the coming days, but noted he is "committed to making sure there is a seamless transition in the process."

Downes earned a Masters in Public Administration from Villanova University and majored in political science at Southern Connecticut State University. He also served as the Town of Stratford’s Chief of Staff for five years. He worked for the Connecticut House Republican Caucus for 21 years, serving as the caucus’s Director of Communications from 2010 to 2017.

"Mike is a respected and skilled government administrator and communications professional with 30 years of experience in state legislative and municipal government policy and public affairs," Harding was quoted as saying in a news release. "He has an exceptional record of management and project leadership. Mike also knows the State Capitol well, and he knows how the building works. He has forged well-established relationships throughout the legislature and state government. Mike will be a tremendous addition to our caucus."

In a news release Monday, Downes was quoted as saying: "It is an honor to be tapped by Senator Harding to serve in this important role. I have long appreciated the passion that Sen. Harding and the entire Senate Republican Caucus has, and I am looking forward to working with senators and staff to help move our state forward. I commend outgoing Chief of Staff Healey for the energy and enthusiasm that he has brought to the job."

"Mike and I served together on the House Republican staff for seven years, and his professional integrity and work ethic are as solid as they come," Healey was quoted as saying. "I can’t imagine leaving the Senate Republican Office in better hands, and I’ll be working with Mike and Senator Harding to facilitate a seamless transition."