Governor removes Ed Martin as Chief of Staff

Intro: Governor Matt Blunt removed Ed Martin as his Chief of Staff saying Martin wants to pursue other things. Sarah Wire has more from the state capitol. RunTime:
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After a series of missteps by Martin, Gov. Matt Blunt announced a new chief of staff for his office.

The governor says he and Martin discussed if Martin was the best person for the job, but dodged questions about if he asked for Martin's resignation.

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Description: "If you're confused then that's my intent, so, I think we've discussed it, we discussed his desire to move on"

Martin's resignation has been rumored for several weeks after questions arose if the governor's office was saving e-mails according to state law.

From the state Capitol, I'm Sarah Wire.

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Intro: After a series of missteps by the governor's chief of staff, Ed Martin, Gov. Matt Blunt announced a new chief of staff for his office. Sarah Wire has more from the state capitol.

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OutCue: SOC

Blunt dodged questions about if he asked for Martin's resignation but says he spoke with his former chief of staff about who is best suited to run his office.

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Description: Ed and I obviously talked about the future of the office and who is the right person to lead the office in a specific set of circumstances and right now that's Trish Vincent and that's my decision and Trish Vincent's the chief of staff

Martin has been outspoken about key issues including the recent e-mail controversy, the Missouri non-partisan court plan and state firings within the last year.

From the state capitol, I'm Sarah Wire.

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Intro: Gov. Matt Blunt announced the resignation of his chief of staff but avoided answering questions about if the resignation was forced. Sarah Wire has more from the capitol.

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The governor's former chief of staff, Ed Martin has been outspoken on several issues, including the recent e-mail controversy and the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan.

The governor says Martin was able to bring people together and he plans to continue pushing for reform.

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Description: I think in many ways he was able to bring diverse groups of people together to help us achieve important things and fundamental change does rattle cages I suppose but we're going to continue to push forward with this kind of fundamental change and reform we've delivered over the past nearly three years.

Martin has been criticized for making statements about people fired by the state and for a statement he was reported to have made about the Hispanic community in St. Louis.

Blunt dodged questions about if he asked for the resignation.

From the state capitol, this is Sarah Wire.