Governor announces new chief of staff

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt on Tuesday replaced chief of staff Ed Martin after a rocky one-year stint during which Martin had increasingly become a focal point for criticism.

Blunt announced during a hastily called news conference that Trish Vincent, director of the Revenue Department, has taken over as chief of staff, effectively immediately.

The switch came as Blunt faces growing scrutiny for acknowledging that administration officials, including Martin, have deleted certain government e-mails. After initially defending the practice, Blunt recently reversed course and ordered that all government e-mails be saved.

Scott Eckersley, a former Blunt staff attorney, has said Martin fired him in late September for warning Blunt officials that state law treats e-mails as public records. Blunt officials have denied that, instead maintaining that Eckersley was a poor employee with attitude problems who used his state office for private work.

Asked repeatedly at his news conference whether he had asked Martin to resign, Blunt refused to answer directly. Ultimately, he responded: "If you're confused, that's my intent."

Blunt spokesman Jessica Robinson said later that Martin had offered his resignation and Blunt accepted it. Martin's resignation letter included no explanation.

Blunt announced Martin's departure shortly after 2:30 p.m., with Vincent at his side and dozens of staff watching. He said the change had taken effect at noon.

Around 9 a.m. Tuesday, The Associated Press had asked Blunt if Martin's job was secure. He skirted a direct answer but insisted: "He's done a great job. He remains a good friend, and he's somebody I trust and respect."

Martin was not at either the morning event, at which Blunt pardoned a Thanksgiving turkey, or the afternoon announcement. He did not immediately return telephone and e-mail messages.

Even while announcing his replacement, Blunt said "Ed has served me, this office and the state of Missouri very well over the last 15 months."

Martin is to remain on staff until Jan. 4, collecting his full salary of $120,356 annually while Vincent gets paid at a similar rate, Robinson said. Blunt said the overlap would aid in the transition.

Vincent, 53, of Jefferson City, is Blunt's third chief of staff in as many years. She also has the most experience working with him. She served four years as Blunt's deputy secretary of state, beginning in 2001, and moved to the Revenue Department when Blunt became governor in January 2005.

"Trish is a competent administrator and a dedicated public servant," Blunt said in a written statement. "She has tremendous experience and she knows how to lead and manage people."

Blunt's original chief of staff, Ken McClure, generally operated behind the scenes and seldom injected himself into the news. McClure left for a position at Missouri State University.

Blunt's office took on a more aggressive approach under Martin, a St. Louis lawyer who previously had worked for a pro-life group, a school-choice group and the Roman Catholic church. Martin also had been appointed by Blunt to the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners.

Martin avoided the public spotlight after Eckersley went public in late October with allegations that he had been fired for advising colleagues that their e-mail deletions weren't complying with the Sunshine Law and records retention policies.