AUGUSTA — The former spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Angus King will head communications operations for independent candidate Eliot Cutler’s bid for Maine governor.

Crystal Canney, a former broadcast journalist and producer, stepped down as spokeswoman for the independent senator this fall after having also run communications for his 2012 campaign.

Cutler is challenging Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud for the Blaine House. Cutler narrowly lost to LePage in 2010.

The Old Town native also served as spokeswoman for former Democratic Gov. John Baldacci.