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John Richardson

John Richardson has given up his job as Maine's economic development director to run for governor and has been replaced by the department's No. 2 man.

Thaxter Trafton was sworn in Monday morning as acting commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. Trafton had been the deputy commissioner since 2006, and was the department's business development director from 2003 until 2006.

"Thaxter Trafton brings exceptional experience and leadership skills to this post, and has a proven track record with Maine's business community," Gov. John Baldacci said in a prepared statement. "He will be a strong advocate for job growth and business development."

Baldacci plans to nominate Trafton as commissioner in the next legislative session. The appointment is subject to approval by the Business, Research and Economic Development Committee and confirmation by the Senate.

Trafton said he doesn't have major changes planned for the department. The emphasis will remain on job creation and retention, he said.

"Honestly, there's not a real lot to change," Trafton said. "I believe we have a great system going on, a great staff – an unbelievable staff – we just need some new leadership. Like, in every situation, people move on."

With tight budgets, Trafton expects that one of the directors in the department may take on some of the duties he handled as deputy commissioner. The department's divisions cover business development, community development, tourism, tax incentives, film, international trade and innovation.

Richardson, a Democrat, said he told Baldacci about 10 days earlier that he would step down. State law prohibits Cabinet members from running for partisan statewide office.

"This is very common. You're probably going to see more commissioners leave for professional reasons," Richardson said. "The administration is winding down," with Baldacci nearing his last year in office because of term limits.

Richardson ceased being commissioner at midnight, according to Baldacci's staff, and announced his candidacy Monday morning in Brunswick, his hometown.

As Richardson packed up items from his office Monday, Trafton started moving in. Trafton said the "Attitude is everything" sign on his desk would be on the new desk by the end of the day.

Trafton grew up in Bath and graduated from Husson College in Bangor. He was a teacher and coach at John Bapst High School in Bangor and was executive director of the Bass Park Complex for 15 years.

Trafton, 72, then worked outside Maine until he joined the Department of Economic and Community Development in 2003.

He was chief administrative officer of the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum Authority in California, where his duties included supervising operating agreements with franchises including the Oakland Athletics, the Oakland Raiders and the Golden State Warriors.

Trafton was also president and commissioner of the International Basketball League in Baltimore, team president of the Cleveland Cavaliers and executive director of the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the Arizona State Fair.

He owned a consulting firm to the entertainment industry in southern California. He was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.

Staff Writer Ann S. Kim can be contacted at 791-6383 or at: akim@pressherald.com