SALEM, Ore. — Governor Kate Brown's chief of staff since 2017, Nik Blosser, will be leaving her office to join the transition team of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as they prepare to head to the White House in 2021, the Governor's office announced on Thursday.

Blosser became Brown's chief of staff in February of 2017, and the Governor's office says that he is now one of the "longest-serving chiefs of staff to a governor in the country." He'll serve as the state lead in the intergovernmental affairs office of the Biden-Harris transition team.

“Nik has been on the ground and focused on the pandemic response from the start of this crisis, giving him a unique understanding of the needs of Americans suffering from COVID-19 and the needs of the communities they live in,” said Governor Brown. “I am heartened that President-Elect Biden, Vice President-Elect Harris and their transition team have selected Nik for this important role. He has my full support, and I am confident he will help President-Elect Biden and his team support states in their approach to this crisis and the long recovery that will follow.”

Brown has appointed her current deputy chief of staff, attorney Gina Zejdlik, to replace Blosser as chief of staff. Zejdlik has served in the deputy position since 2017, and was a senior advisor prior to that. She served as interim Elections director and Brown’s chief of staff at the Secretary of State’s Office, and as deputy legislative counsel for six years prior.

“Gina has been by my side for years, and with us every step of the way since the start of the COVID-19 crisis,” said Governor Brown. “Her depth of experience will be invaluable as we continue to respond to this pandemic, address long-term wildfire recovery for Oregon and fight for racial justice.”