Another change in Beshear's office as Brown makes way for Blanton

Staff reshuffling in the office of Gov. Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) continued today, with the announcement that communications director Dick Brown will be replaced by Jay Blanton.

Blanton comes to the position after a nearly four year tenure as executive director of marketing and public relations for the University of Kentucky.

Prior to that job, he served as deputy communications director for Louisville's Democratic mayor, Jerry Abramson.

He also worked with the public relations firms Guthrie-Mayes and Preston-Osbourne.

The switch in the office comes seven months into Beshear's first term as governor and just a week since an earlier change by Beshear brought Adam Edelen in as chief of staff.

Edelen replaced Jim Cauley in that position.

These early months of Beshear's tenure have been marked by considerable struggles on priority legislation - such as an amendment that would allow a popular vote on expanded casino gaming.

Now, the governor and his staff are hoping for a rebound, following the successful passage of legislation targeting the state's pensions crisis during last week's special session.

Blanton will begin his new job on August 1, while Brown will transition to a position as public information officer for the Energy and Environment, Public Protection and Labor Cabinets.