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Gov. John Kitzhaber announced the exit of two top staffers Tuesday. It's still unclear if Kitzhaber will seek a fourth term as Oregon governor.

((AP Photo/Jonathan J. Cooper) )

Two top staffers are leaving Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber’s office in an expected shift in staffing heading into the final leg of his third term.

Curtis Robinhold, Kitzhaber's chief of staff, will leave Jan. 1 to join the Port of Portland as Deputy Executive Director. Tim Raphael, the governor's communications director, will leave Dec. 1 to join Strategies 360, a Seattle public affairs firm with offices in Portland.

Curtis Robinhold

Kitzhaber’s health policy adviser Mike Bonetto will replace Robinhold. Bonetto will start a search immediately to hire a new health policy adviser, communications director and an education adviser.

Ben Cannon left his position as education adviser in October to become the executive director of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, or HECC.

Kitzhaber hasn’t yet announced whether he will run for another term as governor, though he has been actively raising money. Those close to Kitzhaber have told The Oregonian they expected senior staff to leave if Kitzhaber decided to take on another term.

“It’s hard to say goodbye to Curtis and Tim,” Kitzhaber said in a press release. “I wish them well and look forward to continuing to work with them in their new roles.”

Bonetto was vice-president of business and community development for St. Charles Health System before he joined Kitzhaber’s administration January 2011. Before that he worked for Clear Choice Health Plans and for the Senate Republican Caucus as senior policy adviser.

“I’m humbled by the appointment,” Bonetto said in a release. “It’s a privilege to work with the Governor to rethink and redesign critical government services, like healthcare, education, and how we approach job creation and economic development to improve the lives of all Oregonians.”

--Christian Gaston