Confirmation hearing turned toast to Ryan Low

Ryan Low, the deputy chief of staff to Gov. John Baldacci, earned the recommendation of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee to be the top money man in the state Wednesday.

Ryan Low: Low testifies at his confirmation hearing. Politicker photo.

Baldacci nominated Low for the position of Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services. Low will replace current commissioner Rebecca Wyke, who is leaving the Executive Branch to take over as Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration at the University of Maine System.

“I have worked closely with the entire FAFs management team, and believe that I would be able to quickly and effectively transition into a new role as commissioner,” Low said at the hearing.

The hearing could have easily been a graduation party toast. Speaker after speaker commended Low, and assured that he was the man for the job. There were no opponents, and he had unanimous support from the committee.

People getting up to speak about Low included House Republican Leader Josh Tardy (R-Newport), Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap and state Rep. Patrick Flood (R-Winthrop).

Rebecca Wyke: Rebecca Wyke testifies at Ryan Low's confirmation hearing.

The proceeding took a lightness to it when Wyke testified. She gave Low’s biography, noting that he always wanted to work at the State House but was declined the first job he applied for – a Paige position in the mid-90s.

He later was hired as a legislative aide and climbed the ladder from there, she said.

When he started attending Appropriations Committee meetings with her, “He was mistaken as the commissioner’s body guard only once, by a freshman legislator from Presque Isle,”

Eyes turned to Rep. Jeremy Fischer (D-Presque Isle), now the committee chairman.

Wyke added: “He is bright, knowledgeable and creative. He is the single most knowledgeable expert on the budget.”

Low and Wyke will likely move into their new positions at the beginning of next month.