AUGUSTA – Arden Manning, communications director for the Maine Democratic Party, has been nominated to become the party’s new executive director, party chairman Ben Dudley said Friday.

Manning’s nomination awaits confirmation by the Democratic State Committee at its May meeting.

Dudley said Manning, of Portland, has served the party ably, first as a regional field organizer and then as communications director. Manning has been filling in as acting executive director in recent weeks.

The Winter Harbor native and University of Southern Maine graduate would succeed Maggie Allen, who left last month to resume her teaching career. Allen became executive director in December 2005.