John Milburn, a veteran statehouse reporter for the Associated Press, has been named the new communications director for Gov. Sam Brownback’s re-election campaign, effective July 14.

Milburn has been a Statehouse reporter for AP for 13 years covering state government, politics and the military. Before that, he worked at the Journal-World as well as newspapers in Pittsburg and Arkansas City.

Brownback, a Republican, is seeking re-election this year. He faces Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, who is the presumptive Democratic nominee.