Katie McGinty
(File photo)
, as his chief of staff.
"Katie McGinty has broad experience in state and federal government and in the private sector," Wolf said, in a written statement. "She will be an asset to my administration and to the people of Pennsylvania."
McGinty is the first major staffing announcement for Wolf, who will be sworn in Jan. 20.
She had previously worked in the office of then-U.S. Sen. Al Gore, who endorsed her during her campaign for governor. In 2003, Gov. Ed Rendell appointed her as secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection, a position she held until 2008. McGinty has also worked and served on the boards of various energy and environmental development companies.
After placing fourth in the four-wide Democratic primary earlier this year, Wolf chose McGinty to head his political action committee, The Campaign for a Fresh Start.
During her gubernatorial campaign, McGinty publicly supported medical marijuana, a "total gift ban" for elected officials and increasing the minimum wage.