Charlotte Golar RichieCharlotte Golar Richie, a Dorchester Democrat who finished third in last year’s race for mayor of Boston, will be appointed by Gov. Deval Patrick to serve as a commissioner on the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the News Service has confirmed.

Golar Richie, who once worked as a senior advisor to the governor and executive director of his re-election committee, will fill one of three commissioner positions at MCAD, which works to advance civil rights through law enforcement, outreach and training and processes workplace, housing and public accommodation discrimination complaints.

“I am honored to appoint Charlotte as a Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination,” Patrick said in a statement released to the News Service in response to an inquiry with his office. “Charlotte’s career has been devoted to addressing issues of discrimination, and to promoting justice and equality – a background that makes her well suited to join the MCAD. I thank Charlotte for her willingness to serve the Commonwealth in this important role.”

Golar Richie did not respond to a message seeking comment earlier on Wednesday before Patrick confirmed her appointment.

Golar Richie’s salary was not immediately available. The chair of MCAD Jamie Williamson earns $130,000 a year while Commissioner Sunila Thomas George earns an annual salary of $113,741, according to public payroll records.

Golar Richie finished in third place in the 2013 mayoral preliminary race to succeed Thomas Menino, falling just short of advancing to the final election between Mayor Marty Walsh and former City Councilor John Connolly.

Before her run for mayor, Golar Richie served as a state representative from the Fifth Suffolk District for five years between 1995 and 1999, and co-chaired the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Housing and Urban Development. She went on to head up the Department of Neighborhood Development under Menino, and served as a senior adviser to Gov. Patrick.

Prior to running for mayor, Golar Richie also worked as a senior vice president for public policy, advocacy and government relations at YouthBuild USA, a nonprofit. Earlier this year, she considered a run for state treasurer.

A Brooklyn native, she lives in Dorchester.