A number of high-level staffers and aides in Newt Gingrich’s presidential campaign resigned on Thursday, includingRob Johnson and Dave Carney, both of whom have strong ties to Gov. Rick Perry. While they told reporters the move is unconnected to the governor, it has fueled speculation about Perry’s presidential ambitions.

Gov. Rick Perry reappointed three members to the Texas School for the Deaf Governing Board. Jean Andrews of Beaumont is a professor of deaf education and division director for the doctoral program in deaf studies and deaf education at Lamar University. Shalia Cowan of Dripping Springs is retired from working for the Texas Education Agency. Connie Sefcik-Kennedy of Austin is a program assistant for the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Board for Evaluation of Interpreters.

Perry also named Lee Chayes of El Paso chairman of the Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Council and appointed three members to the council. Chayes is president of Axis Business Academy. Tom Fordyce of Huntsville is a retired director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Agribusiness Department. Jon Arnold-Garcia of San Antonio is vice president of Drexel Hamilton LLC. Thomas W. Grahm of Tyler is a board-certified neurosurgeon and a partner at Tyler Neurosurgical Associates P.A.