WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Ellen Carmichael, spokeswoman for Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, said Saturday she is leaving the campaign.
Carmichael told CNN she had resigned after a year as Cain's communications director "but the paperwork's not final."
"It's a very amicable departure," Carmichael said. "He wished me the best of luck." CNN said Francis Boustany, an assistant to Carmichael, also is exiting the campaign.
J.D. Gordon will take over as campaign spokesman, Fox News reported.
Carmichael told Fox News had more to do with the direction of her career than with the former pizza company executive's political campaign.
"I think my leaving now is a reflection on my earnestness to leave rather than a reflection of the campaign," she said.
"I'm still very fond of him. I'm honored to have worked for someone with such character and decency."
The Cain campaign acknowledged her departure, saying it was to "pursue other opportunities."
"We appreciate her service to the campaign," the campaign said in a statement.
