Ben Bragdon, managing editor at Current Publishing in Westbrook, has been hired by the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel as the papers’ editorial page editor.

Bragdon, 36, of Westbrook, starts the new position next month.

“I am excited to be a part of two newspapers with such long, rich histories, and I look forward to being a part of a constructive debate over the issues facing the region,” Bragdon said.

As editorial page editor, Bragdon will write editorials for both papers on issues of local and statewide interest, oversee the op-ed pages and its contributors and help enhance the online presence of opinion content, according to Scott Monroe, managing editor of the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.

Bragdon has been managing editor at Current Publishing since September 2009, handling editing duties for the company’s six weekly newspapers, website and magazines, while also writing editorials. Before then, Bragdon was a reporter at the Piscataquis Observer in Dover-Foxcroft and editor at the Moosehead Messenger in Greenville. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Boston University.

“We’re thrilled to have Ben join our team,” Monroe said. “Ben has a strong background in community journalism and an understanding of the people and issues important here in central Maine.”