Corbett Hires 3rd Chief of Staff Amid Worries

Gov. Tom Corbett says he's hiring his third chief of staff and his third secretary of legislative affairs in as many years as he struggles to improve his public image and his clout inside the Capitol.

Corbett made the announcement Wednesday, a day after The Associated Press reported that changes were expected among his top staff.

Veteran Republican lobbyist and political strategist Leslie Gromis Baker will replace Steve Aichele as Corbett's chief of staff. Aichele was Corbett's chief counsel when he took office in January 2011, but became chief of staff last year in a separate shake-up.

Corbett's legislative secretary Christopher Carusone is leaving after a year to become a partner in a Philadelphia-based law firm. Andrew Ritter, Carusone's deputy, will serve as his replacement on an acting basis.