Top Campaign Aide to Wendy Davis Steps Down

Nationally recognized campaign manager Karin Johanson is leaving the campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis, the candidate announced Wednesday.

Johanson's replacement will be state Rep. Chris Turner, D-Fort Worth.

The reasons for the shake-up were not immediately clear. A statement from Davis praised Johanson for “building one of the most competitive campaign organizations” in Texas and highlighted Turner’s record of managing successful Democratic campaigns in heavily Republican districts.

“Karin Johanson has let me know that she believes it's time to hand off the reins of the campaign management for our final push toward election day,” Davis said.

A thank-you letter from Johanson to the Davis team did not specify a reason for her departure. But, she wrote, "I’m going to go home and spend some time this summer with my 90-year old father and lose the pounds I gained from eating tacos for breakfast, lunch and dinner."

Johanson came to the Davis campaign after decades of work in high-profile national campaigns. She previously served as political director of Emily’s List and directed the successful campaign of U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.

Turner, a communications consultant who has twice been elected to the Texas House, in 2008 and 2012, worked as the campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards from 2000 to 2006.