St. Paul's mayor hires Klobuchar staff member

Sen. Amy Klobuchar's outreach director is now St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's communications director.

Joe Campbell, a West St. Paul native, will start Nov. 28, the mayor said Thursday.

Campbell, 29, will replace Richard Carlbom, who left to work as campaign manager for Minnesotans United For All Families, the organization campaigning to defeat the proposed statewide anti-gay-marriage amendment that will be on the ballot next November.

Campbell has worked for Klobuchar for five years, starting as constituent services advocate.

Coleman said Campbell will be a "critical part" of his administration as the city works on Central Corridor construction, downtown development and education initiatives.

Klobuchar said, "He's done a great job for us, and I know he will do a great job for St. Paul."

Campbell, who lives in Minneapolis, will be paid $75,000. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2005.

Clarise Tushie-Lessard has been acting as Coleman's spokeswoman since Carlbom left last month.

ROCHELLE OLSON