One of the most conspicuous revolving doors in state government — public information officer for Lt. Gov. Diane Denish — is turning again.

Denish's latest PIO, Sam Thompson, who had served as former Attorney General Patricia Madrid's spokeswoman for nearly eight years, said Tuesday that she's given notice and will be leaving her $70,000 a year job in mid-December. Thompson had joined Denish's staff in July.

Thompson is Denish's seventh PIO in seven years. That doesn't include some of the lieutenant governor's staffers who performed public-information duties between "permanent" PIOs.

Thompson on Tuesday said she's quitting mainly because of her health. "The hours, the stress, it was raising my blood pressure," Thompson said. "I have to give priority to my health."

Thompson said the lieutenant governor's staff is small and "there's a lot to do."

The office is authorized for eight full-time positions. The official duties of the lieutenant governor consist of filling in for the governor when he's out of state, presiding over the Senate when the Legislature is in session and serving as a state government ombudsman to hear concerns and complaints from citizens. Denish also serves on several boards, commissions and task forces including the Children's Cabinet, the Border Authority, the Community Development Council, the Workforce Development Board and the state Board of Finance.

Denish is running for governor, and at this point is the only candidate in the Democratic primary.

Thompson had nothing but good words for Denish and hopes to work for her on a volunteer basis in the future. She said she'd done some volunteer work for the office before she was hired.

Denish's chief of staff Josh Rosen said Tuesday, "Most senior members of our staff have been with the office for years because we share Lieutenant Governor Denish's commitment to helping New Mexico's families and businesses get ahead. The lieutenant governor demands a lot from her staff, as she should, and during these tough times, the taxpayers expect a lot from us, too — so the hours are long and turnover is to be expected."

Rosen said the position will be filled "at a lower salary that takes into account the state's budget situation."

Asked how the position could be filled during a state hiring freeze, Rosen said, "These are ongoing personnel matters, but if and when appropriate, we will obtain all necessary approvals for Sam's replacement."

Other former Denish PIOs interviewed Tuesday also said they had no problem with Denish personally, but that the work was hard and Denish's expectations were high.

Kate Nelson, who worked for Denish for about a year beginning in the summer of 2007, said Tuesday, "As a former political reporter, I found that covering politics and working in politics are two different animals, and that I was better suited for one than the other." Nelson worked as a reporter, editor and columnist for the now defunct Albuquerque Tribune for about 18 years before joining Denish's staff. She now works in public relations for the state History Museum.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com. Read his political blog at roundhouseroundup.com.