PHOENIX (AP) - The Latest on Gov. Doug Ducey’s chief of staff stepping down (all times local):
4 p.m.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has named his longtime spokesman as his new chief of staff.
The Republican named Tucson native Daniel Scarpinato to the role helping the governor with policy, staffing and negotiations with the Legislature. Scarpinato has been deputy chief of staff for communications and strategic planning since Ducey took office in 2015 but took a leave to serve on the governor’s re-election campaign earlier this year.
He will replace Kirk Adams, who announced Monday he is stepping down after four years on Dec. 14.
Scarpinato is a former journalist who moved into media relations and communications, working for Arizona House Republicans and later as press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee before being hired by Ducey.
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1 p.m.
Gov. Doug Ducey’s chief says he is stepping down because four years in the high-pressure post that he calls “the best job in the world” is enough and he doesn’t think someone can do it for eight years.
Kirk Adams said Monday he has no plans except to rest up, maybe play some golf and “figure it out from there.”
Adams has been seen as a potential pick for the late Sen. John McCain’s seat now held by Jon Kyl. Kyl said he might serve only until January.
But Adams declined to address that possibility, saying the Ducey Administration has a rule not to comment because there is no current vacancy.
The chief of staff helps the governor set policy and negotiate with lawmakers on budget and other issues.
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12:30 p.m.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s chief of staff is stepping down after helping the Republican governor negotiate his first term in office.
Kirk Adams is a former Arizona House speaker who became chief of staff after the governor was elected in 2014. The chief of staff helps the governor set policy and negotiate with lawmakers on budget and other issues.
The governor’s office said in a statement that Adams’ last day will be Dec. 14 and his replacement will be named later. Adams said he is “looking forward to other opportunities outside of state government.”
Adams has been seen as a potential pick for the late Sen. John McCain’s seat now held by Jon Kyl. Kyl said he might serve only until January.
Adams didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.
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