_A. J. HIGGINS, OF THE NEWS STAFF Last updated: Saturday, January 4, 2003McGowan named to CabinetBaldacci asks prominent Democrat to head up conservation department AUGUSTA - Patrick McGowan, a longtime player in Maine Democratic politics, was nominated Friday by Governor-elect John E. Baldacci to serve as commissioner of the Department of Conservation.The 46-year-old York resident, best known for nearly defeating U.S. Rep. Olympia Snowe in 1992, is a strong proponent of state land acquisition. He spearheaded a $35 million bond issue for public land in the mid-1980s. Speaking with reporters Friday morning, McGowan said that, if confirmed by the Maine...