AUGUSTA – Julie Ann O’Brien, a former four-term legislator from Augusta, has been appointed executive director of the Maine Republican Party.

O’Brien succeeds Michael Leavitt, who was hired by the Republican National Committee to fill a party leadership post in Maryland.

O’Brien’s appointment was announced by state party chairman Mark Ellis, who said she is well-qualified to help lead the party to victory in November. Republicans hope to take over at least one legislative chamber and the governor’s office in the fall election.

O’Brien said she does not have a “partisan attack dog” style.

“I am able to articulate differences without going on the attack,” said O’Brien, who served four House terms and lost a bid for state Senate in 2004. She is founder and former executive director of the Children’s Discovery Museum in the capital city.