James A. O'Bryan has been named assistant to the governor for public affairs. The widely reported appointment, effective Feb. 1, was announced Friday afternoon.
O'Bryan, the Democratic state chairman, left his job as district and communications director for Delegate Donna M. Christian-Christensen to join Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's Government House staff.
He will oversee the governor's public relations office and coordinating media and policy initiatives.
O'Bryan, 42, was a senator in the 16th Legislature. He also was public relations director for Gov. Alexander A. Farrelly.
He has a bachelor's degree in communications from Boston University's School of Communications.