WASHINGTON – Jane Q. Calderwood of Searsport will be promoted to the position of U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe’s chief of staff effective Monday, June 4. Calderwood, a 17-year Snowe staff member who currently serves as legislative director, will succeed Kevin L. Raye, who is resigning to return to Maine.

Raye, who has worked for Snowe in various capacities since 1977 is considering running for the 2nd District seat being vacated by Rep. John Baldacci.

“It’s something that I have been exploring very seriously and continue to look at very closely,” Raye said Wednesday. “I will be announcing my decision in the near future.”

Calderwood, 40, a Bangor native, joined Snowe’s staff upon her graduation from Bates College in 1983. For two years, she worked as a staff assistant for then-Rep. Snowe in Bangor, and in 1985 was promoted to a position as legislative assistant in Snowe’s Washington office, where she specialized in health care, labor and transportation-related issues. Calderwood was promoted to legislative director in 1993, with responsibility for overseeing Snowe’s legislative operations and staff. Snowe selected Calderwood to continue as legislative director upon her election to the Senate in 1994.

“Jane is extremely talented and capable, and I am delighted she has agreed to serve as my chief of staff. She is a vital member of my staff for many years, and brings a wealth of experience to this new role serving the people of Maine,” said Snowe.

In her new role, Calderwood will oversee Snowe’s Senate office, including legislative and administrative staff in Washington and Snowe’s six Maine offices. She also will take on responsibilities as Snowe’s top aide in providing advice on policy matters.

Snowe has selected Thomas L. Geier to succeed Calderwood as legislative director. Geier, 33, has worked for Snowe since 1995, and is currently her senior legislative assistant, with responsibility for budget and tax issues. He previously served as legislative assistant to Sen. David Durenberger, R-Minn.

In announcing the new appointments, Snowe praised Raye, a 40-year-old Eastport native who has worked with Snowe since 1977, when he was a high school student and a volunteer for her first race for congress. During Snowe’s tenure as 2nd District representative, Raye worked in her Bangor office, rising to the position of district director overseeing Snowe’s Maine offices. He was promoted to chief of staff upon Snowe’s election to the Senate in 1994.

“Kevin has served ably and with integrity as a trusted adviser and key member of my staff for more than 17 years,” said Snowe. “As my chief of staff for the past six and a half years, Kevin has provided superb leadership to my staff both in Maine and Washington.”