BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Public Safety Secretary Kevin Burke is resigning next month.
The Beverly resident and former Essex district attorney will be replaced in Gov. Deval Patrick's administration by one of his deputies, Mary Elizabeth Heffernan.
Burke's departure was disclosed Monday in an unusual way: A statement announcing Heffernan's new role.
The statement also says that Patrick has hired Joanne Goldstein to replace Suzanne Bump as labor secretary. Bump announced her resignation to launch a campaign for state auditor.
Patrick is facing re-election next year, and he has told his staff that anyone who is thinking about leaving should do so now rather than during the campaign.
The Democrat has already lost his chief of staff, administration and finance secretary, transportation secretary and communications director.
