WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that Matthew Felling is joining his team and will serve as the Director of Communications in his Washington, D.C. office. Felling replaces Kathleen Connery Dawe, who will now serve as Senator King’s Chief of Staff. King’s office also announced veteran communications professional and Brunswick native, Jack Faherty, will return to Maine and serve as Maine Press Secretary.

“Matthew Felling brings years of communications creativity and strategy to our office; I know he will do great work giving voice and context to the issues we face in Maine and nationwide,” Senator King said. “As a former journalist across all media platforms, communications director for my Republican friend and colleague Senator Lisa Murkowski, and most recently as a public affairs professional, Matthew is a proven leader who is well equipped to further our work on behalf of all Maine people. His dedication to public service has brought him back to the Senate, and I look forward to our close association in the years to come.”

“This is a critical moment in American politics, and Senator King is playing a pivotal role in addressing the concerns and priorities facing Maine and the nation,” said Felling.  “He has earned a reputation as a problem-solver and consensus-builder – both as Maine’s Governor and U.S. Senator – and I am thrilled to bring my skill set, experience, knowledge and best practices from the private sector to support his important work and vision for a better future for Maine and America.”

Felling holds a graduate degree in cyberjournalism, and worked for a decade in print and digital journalism, public radio, and national and local news, as well as penning his “Framing the Argument” column for U.S. News and then Washington Examiner. He was also a longtime Communications Director for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and resigned as Senior Director of Public Affairs and Crisis Communication at Burson, Cohn and Wolfe for this opportunity to return to the U.S. Senate.

Felling will head the Communications Office for Senator King in Washington D.C. and serve alongside Senator King spokesman, Press Secretary and Digital Director Jeff Sobotko and Bar Harbor native Evelyn Swan who will continue to serve in her capacity as Press Assistant. Press Secretary Jack Faherty will make Maine his primary post, continuing his responsibilities as Maine spokesman.