STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. — Ellen Carmichael, communications director for businessman Herman Cain’s 2012 presidential campaign, resigned Saturday.
Carmichael told FOX News Channel she is leaving to pursue other opportunities after working for Cain for more than a year. Her departure is not a reflection on Cain’s campaign, she said.
“I think my leaving now is a reflection on my earnestness to leave rather than a reflection of campaign,” she said. “I think the world of him, it’s just a personal decision about my career.”
She said she was still “very fond” of the former Godfather’s Pizza chairman and CEO. “I’m honored to have worked for someone with such character and decency,” she said.
Carmichael’s assistant, Francis Boustany, is also leaving the campaign. Former Defense Department public affairs officer J.D. Gordon will take over as Cain’s communications director.
Cain’s campaign got a jolt of energy last weekend when he won the Florida straw poll — unexpectedly beating both Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney by a wide margin.