WASHINGTON -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., on Wednesday named Patrick Devlin his new lead spokesman.

Devlin attended Carroll College in Helena, and graduated from Virginia Tech in 1989.

For the past 11 years, Devlin was legislative director for Democratic Rep. Bob Etheridge, a North Carolina farmer and Chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Commodities Subcommittee.

Devlin began his congressional career as personal assistant to the late Rep. Les Aspin, D-Wis., while Aspin served as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Devlin also served in various capacities for Reps. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., Jim Chapman, D-Texas, and Rick Boucher, D-Va.

On Tester's staff he replaces Matt McKenna, who resigned in December to work for former President Bill Clinton.