Nachtigal leaving Gov. Holden's administration for South Dakota

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The chief spokesman for Missouri Gov. Bob Holden is resigning to become the campaign press secretary for South Dakota gubernatorial candidate Jim Abbott.

Jerry Nachtigal said Monday that his last day as Holden's communications director will be June 21. Both Holden and Abbott are Democrats.

Abbott, who won a four-way primary last week, is on leave as president of the University of South Dakota. He faces Republican Mike Rounds, a former state senator, in the Nov. 5 general election.

Nachtigal, 43, is a native of South Dakota and a graduate of South Dakota State University. He said he wanted to return home so his children can be closer to their grandparents and cousins.

A former newsman for The Associated Press, he was hired as Gov. Mel Carnahan's spokesman in 1999.