JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - The communications director for Gov. Jay Nixon is leaving for the private sector and being replaced by a campaign aide.
Communications director Sam Murphey said Tuesday that he will be leaving Nixon's staff Jan. 15 and taking a position with St. Louis-based Monsanto Co. He will be replaced by Channing Ansley, who was the communications and research director for Nixon's re-election campaign this year.
Murphey had worked on Nixon's 2008 campaign before joining the governor's office and working his way up to communications director.
Nixon's longtime spokesman Scott Holste will remain as press secretary.
Former state Democratic Party spokeswoman Brittany Burke has joined Nixon's office as the deputy press secretary.