CONCORD, NH — Pete for America this week announced three key hires who will manage Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg‘s campaign in New Hampshire. The team — which will be led by Michael Ceraso as State Director and include State Representative Cole Riel as Outreach Coordinator and Kevin Donohoe as Communications Director — will focus on organizing a robust grassroots campaign in New Hampshire and mobilizing voters around Mayor Pete’s message of freedom, security, and democracy.
Michael Ceraso, New Hampshire State Director
Michael brings over a decade of experience in Democratic campaigns and organizing — including two successful cycles in New Hampshire — to the Pete for America team. Most recently, Michael served as Co-Founder and Executive Director of Winning Margins, a firm focused on bringing resources to underfunded candidates in underserved communities. Prior to founding Winning Margins, Michael was campaign manager for Krish Vignarajah’s Maryland gubernatorial bid. During the 2016 cycle, he served as New Hampshire Deputy State Director and California State Director for Bernie Sanders. In 2012, Michael served as Deputy Field Director for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign in New Hampshire. Michael has also managed legislative and local races in South Carolina, New York, and Washington, D.C.
Cole Riel, New Hampshire Outreach Coordinator
Rep. Riel currently serves as a New Hampshire State Representative in Hillsborough County’s 6th District, where he is a member of the House Education Committee, and as Vice Chair of the Goffstown Budget Committee. Last year, Rep. Riel was the Executive Director for the Manchester City Democratic Committee and has previously managed the campaigns of Hassan Essa for Alderman in Manchester and Kelly Boyer for Selectwoman in Goffstown. Rep. Riel is a graduate of UNH Manchester and a lifelong Granite Stater.
Kevin Donohoe, New Hampshire Communications Director
Kevin, a Granite State native, joins Pete for America after serving as Senior Communications Advisor and Chief Spokesperson for the Florida Democratic Party, where he led the party’s communications for the 2018 gubernatorial race and 2019 legislative session. During the 2017 election cycle, Kevin served as the Coordinated Campaign Communications Director for the Democratic Party of Virginia. He previously served on the communications team for the progressive group NextGen Climate. Kevin grew up in North Hampton, N.H.
Pete for America is committed to building a volunteer-led, grassroots New Hampshire team that will organize and mobilize the energy and support for Mayor Pete across the state. In the coming weeks and months, Pete for America will continue to announce additional hires in New Hampshire as it builds out a strong statewide organizing program. Mayor Pete visited New Hampshire twice last month and will return to the state on May 19 for a town hall in Claremont hosted by Fox News
