Kevin Harley, press secretary to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, is stepping down to join Harrisburg PR firm Quantum Communications.

Harley, Corbett
Harley, Corbett
Harley has been the governor's spokesman since Corbett was state attorney general in the mid-1990s and again in the mid-2000s.

Corbett, a Republican, faces a tough re-election campaign and possible primary challenge in 2014. He suggested Harley will continue to advise him. "Kevin has been one of my closest and trusted advisors for many years," Corbett said in a statement. "I value his counsel and friendship. I look forward to continuing to work with him in a new role."

At Quantum, Harley takes on a managing director role as a shareholder in the firm. Charlie Gerow, a former Reagan aide and influential Republican political advisor in the state, is CEO of Quantum and a close friend of Harley's.

Gerow said Harley will handle strategy development, issue advocacy, political consulting and media outreach for the firm when he joins next month. "Gov. Corbett is a man with unquestioned integrity and loyalty," said Harley. "I'm excited about continuing to help him in my new role."

Quantum has worked on campaigns for the Pennsylvania Gas Association, Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association, the Alliance to Stop I-80 Tolling, and scores of political campaigns statewide and for Congress.

Corbett said a new director of communications will be named "in the near future."