Gov. Wolf Thursday named Mary Isenhour as his new chief of staff to replace Katie McGinty who is running for U.S. Senate. Isenhour was Director of Legislative Affairs for Wolf prior to this position.
"Mary Isenhour is one of my closest advisors, and she has served as a valuable part of my administration," said Gov. Wolf. "Mary has earned respect from Republicans and Democrats, and she has vast and diverse experience in government that will help to guide my administration. I am eager to continue to work with Mary in her new role as my Chief of Staff."
“It is an honor to serve as Gov. Wolf’s Chief of Staff, and I look forward to continuing to work with the governor and the administration to serve the people of Pennsylvania,” said Mary Isenhour. “Gov. Wolf has the right priorities for the Commonwealth: schools that teach, jobs that pay, and government that works, and I look forward to working with him to implement his vision.”
"Katie McGinty has been an invaluable advisor and friend, and her contributions to the Commonwealth will be remembered. We worked together to expand Medicaid, eliminate the unfair and costly SNAP asset test, save the children's health insurance program in Pennsylvania, and implement key government reforms like a gift ban," said Gov. Wolf. "Katie's work has help lay the course for my administration, and I greatly appreciate her efforts to fix our schools, create jobs, and build a better Pennsylvania."
"It has been an honor to serve Gov. Tom Wolf," said Katie McGinty. "I am proud to have helped to fight to expand Medicaid and eliminate unfair asset tests while advocating for policies that will fund our schools and strengthen our middle class. I will continue to fight for the principles and policies that we worked on in the Wolf Administration including fixing our schools, creating jobs, and advocating for a living wage for our workers."
Isenhour began her career as a staffer in the Kansas House of Representatives, where from 1991 to 1995, She was chief of staff to the Democratic Leader. It was here where Isenhour worked across party lines to advance legislation that improved the lives of the citizens of Kansas.
In this role, Isenhour worked with leadership and committee members to develop and implement committee and floor strategies, and she worked on developing legislative strategy and building coalitions that resulted in legislation in numerous areas. She also served as liaison between the Leader and other elected officials, agencies, and political entities.
From 1995 to 1999, Isenhour served as a national political director for the Washington, D.C. based Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, and from 1999 to 2003, she served as executive director of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC).
Following her time at HDCC, Isenhour served as executive director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and as state director for Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign. She also owns a consulting firm.
Isenhour served as senior strategist to Tom Wolf for Governor and as director of legislative affairs under the Wolf Administration.
