Herman Cain's Communications Director Resigns

Herman Cain's campaign communications director has announced her resignation, Fox News confirms.

Ellen Carmichael, who has spent over a year working for Cain, said that her departure is a personal decision about her career.

"I think my leaving now is a reflection on my earnestness to leave rather than a reflection of the campaign," she said.

"I'm still very fond of him," said Carmichael, adding that there is no tension or disagreement over the departure.

"I'm honored to have worked for someone with such character and decency," said Carmichael.

Following the news of her departure Cain's campaign issued the following statement, "Ms. Carmichael decided to pursue other opportunities. We appreciate her service to the campaign."

Her departure comes just as a recent Fox News poll shows Cain jumping into the top tier of GOP presidential candidates.

Carmichael's assistant Francis Boustany is also leaving. J.D. Gordon, a senior adviser on foreign policy and security who joined the team last month, will take over as campaign spokesman.

Gordon, a former spokesman for defense secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates, said that two new communications assistants were being added to the team this week.

Fox News' Joy Lin contributed to this report.