ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele has hired a new campaign manager to run his bid for U.S. Senate, his campaign announced Tuesday.

Michael Leavitt, once the political director for Maine Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe, was tapped to replace Graham Shafer, who left Steele’s campaign in January. His departure wasn’t explained by the campaign.

Leavitt most recently led the Maine Republican Party.

“It’s a good choice, and the lieutenant governor is excited and happy about it,” said Paul Ellington, Steele’s chief of staff.

Steele, formerly head of the Maryland Republican Party, is seeking to replace the retiring Democratic Sen. Paul Sarbanes. Steele has no serious competition in the GOP primary. On the Democratic side, hopefuls include Rep. Ben Cardin and former Rep. Kweisi Mfume, former head of the NAACP.

A few weeks after Shafer left Steele’s campaign, the campaign lost its spokesman, Leonardo Alcivar. A new spokesman has not been named.

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On the Net:

Michael Steele: http://www.steeleformaryland.com