AUGUSTA – Maine Senate President Pro Tem Michael Michaud’s chief of staff has stepped down after drawing criticism for receiving state pay while serving as manager of Michaud’s 2nd District congressional campaign.

Peter Chandler said that Monday was his last day as the chief of staff for Michaud, a Democratic state senator from East Millinocket. He earned $75,000 a year in that post.

Chandler said he took a leave of absence to concentrate on the campaign because the demands of the campaign have grown.

“The time was now,” Chandler said from the campaign’s downtown Lewiston headquarters. “Legislative sessions started five days a week this week.”

Lori Handrahan, one of Michaud’s rivals for the congressional nomination, raised the issue two weeks ago. She said Chandler’s work in both posts raised ethical questions, and that Chandler should resign from one.

Handrahan also sought an investigation to see whether Chandler spent any time working on the campaign when he was paid with taxpayer dollars.

Michaud had said Chandler put in a full-time week for taxpayers, then worked on the campaign during evenings and weekends.

Michaud said everything Chandler did in both positions was “above board.” Michaud dismissed the criticism, saying the competition wanted to make him look bad because he is the front-runner.

Chandler said he worked on the campaign during office hours by using vacation and comp time.

Besides Chandler, Michaud’s campaign employs three people full time: two field organizers and a finance director.

Rick McCarthy, a special assistant, was promoted to take over the job as Michaud’s chief of staff.