Peter Cianchette

Peter CianchettePeter Cianchette was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica by the U.S. Department of State today.

When he was confirmed, Sen. Olympia Snowe was the first to release a statement. Today, Sen. Susan Collins got the first word:

“Peter is a dedicated, hard working and well-liked individual who will serve our nation well as U.S Ambassador to Costa Rica. The United States and Costa Rica have a long history of friendship and cooperation, and Peter is an outstanding choice to further strengthen this relationship. He will, no doubt, start from the ground running in his new position and make Maine and the rest of the nation proud of his public service.

“I hope I am the first to congratulate the newly-minted ‘Ambassador Cianchette’.”

Peter Cianchette was confirmed by the U.S. Senate today as U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica.

Cianchette, Maine’s Republican National Committeeman, was nominated for the post by President Bush in February. At an April 17 public hearing in front of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Cianchette said he will focus on strengthening trade between the South American country and the United States, and also work to reduce the amount of drugs being grown in the country.

U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe (R) and Susan Collins (R) both introduced Cianchette at the hearing, and supported his nomination.

Snowe issued the following statement:

“Peter’s confirmation is a proud moment not only for him and his family, but for the entire state of Maine. Peter has been a good friend of mine for many years and is someone for whom I’ve had the utmost regard and highest esteem for. His confirmation is an appropriate reflection of his intellect, ability and commitment to public service. Peter brings a wealth of experience in solving problems and securing results from both his tenure in the Maine State Legislature from 1996 to 2000, and his extensive business background. He is someone who comes from a tradition of public service – as part of a family that has contributed tremendously to our state over the years. His stellar record of combined public and private sector service speaks to his ability to well and ably represent the interests of the United States as Ambassador to Costa Rica."

Collins issued the following statement:

"Peter is a dedicated, hard working and well-liked individual who will serve our nation well as U.S Ambassador to Costa Rica.  The United States and Costa Rica have a long history of friendship and cooperation, and Peter is an outstanding choice to further strengthen this relationship. He will, no doubt, start from the ground running in his new position and make Maine and the rest of the nation proud of his public service."

The current rumor circulating among Republicans is that Peter Cianchette will resign his post as National Committeeman from Maine. If so, that would mean that both posts will be up for grabs this Friday, when Republicans convene in Augusta.

Karen Raye, the current National Committeewoman has announced she will not be running for reelection so that she can spend her time at family's mustard business in Washington County. Currently two people have announced their intentions to run for the post; Jan Staples, who held the post prior to Raye and the former Chair of the Republican Party, Kathy Watson. This will be a good race, although it should be noted no one has been able to explain to me what they do - other than get better seats at events.

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Peter CianchetteIf confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica, Peter Cianchette said he will focus on strengthening trade between the country and the United States, and work with local law enforcement to combat drugs being grown in the Latin American country.

Cianchette, Maine’s Republican National Committeeman, appeared before the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday for a confirmation hearing. President Bush tapped him for the post in February.

The confirmation hearing for Peter Cianchette can be heard live by going to this site and clicking on the link.

Cianchette, Maine Republican National Committeeman, has been nominated by President Bush to be Ambassador to Costa Rica.

The confirmation hearings are scheduled to begin at 2:30, and Cianchette is fourth on the list.

Sen. Susan Collins will introduce him, and her office has released her remarks.

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Peter Cianchette Wednesday.

Cianchette was nominated by President Bush in February to be Ambassador to Costa Rica. He is currently the Republican National Committeeman for the Republican Party.

Confirmation hearings start at 2:30 p.m., and Cianchette is fourth on the list. Sen. Susan Collins will introduce Cianchette to the committee – both she and Sen. Olympia Snowe support the nomination.

Peter Cianchette, National Committeeman for the Maine Republican Party and former candidate for governor, has been nominated as the U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica by President Bush.

Cianchette serves as a partner at CHK Capital Partners, a strategic planning firm.

Cianchette said Wednesday that he can't comment on the pending nomination until it has gone through the U.S. Senate.