Sen. Harding Names Michael Downes as CT Senate Republican Office Chief of Staff

Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding today 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.

“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,” Sen. Harding said. “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.”

“It is an honor to be tapped by Senator Harding to serve in this important role,” Downes said. “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,” said Healey. “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.”

Downes is currently the Town Manager of North Branford and has served in that chief executive role since 2022. Prior to that, he served as the Town of Stratford’s Chief of Staff for five years. He was elected to North Branford’s town council four times. He worked for the Connecticut House Republican Caucus for 21 years, serving as the caucus’s Director of Communications from 2010 to 2017. Downes earned a Masters in Public Administration from Villanova University and majored in political science at Southern Connecticut State University.