Peter Welch’s transition from U.S. representative to U.S. senator has begun.
In a Friday afternoon press release, Welch’s office announced two new hires who will transition his office to the U.S. Senate after 16 years in the lower chamber. And, the office announced, his chief of staff and longtime aide, Patrick Satalin, is departing Welch’s ranks.
Taking Satalin’s place as chief of staff will be Alexandra Golden, a Middlebury College graduate who has worked with Welch as a senior staffer for the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, as well as the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Welch has served on both panels.
Golden’s most recent role was as deputy staff director for the oversight committee under the chairmanship of Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y. Maloney lost a reelection bid earlier this year.
Alongside Golden, Tricia Coates will co-lead Welch’s transition to the Senate as a senior advisor. Coates previously worked as Welch’s state director and has served in retiring U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy’s office, both in Vermont and in Washington. Welch’s office on Friday celebrated the two transition leaders, saying each “have decades of experience working on Capitol Hill and in Vermont politics.”
“As we transition from the House to the Senate, my office will have the strong leadership of Ali and Tricia to get our office up and running as quickly and effectively as possible,” Welch said in the statement. “And we will remain focused throughout the transition on doing all we can to assist Vermonters who need help.”
Welch also on Friday said his outgoing chief of staff, Satalin, “will be missed.” Satalin has worked in Welch’s office since 2011 and has served as chief of staff for three years. In a text message Friday evening, Satalin told VTDigger he plans to take some time off “before figuring out my next steps.”
“Patrick has been a trusted advisor and friend for over a decade,” Welch said. “He has provided the office and me with thoughtful and calm leadership through the ups and downs we all experienced the last few years.”
Welch will be sworn into Leahy’s seat on Jan. 3, the same day his Senate office is expected to open. His office said that Vermonters in need of constituent services should continue to reach out to his House office until Dec. 30.