From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage --

Gov. Sarah Palin is looking for a new legislative director -- with the legislative session set to start in just 12 days.

Kelly Goode has resigned after seven months on the job. She never worked a full legislative session, although she did work this summer’s special session on the gas pipeline.

I called Goode both yesterday and today to ask why she’s leaving. She hasn’t returned the calls, and there is a lot of speculation out there. The governor’s office cited “personal reasons.”

Eagle River Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom said Goode, a single mother, is leaving Palin’s office because her son will be graduating soon from high school and she wants to spend time with him before he goes to college. Goode was Dahlstrom’s chief of staff before she came to the governor’s office.

(UPDATE --- Goode called back and said she's indeed leaving to spend time with her son, and has no frustrations with her job.

She said she's going to Juneau for the start of the legislative session and wants to make it a "smoothless transition" to whomever replaces her.

She said she's not taking another job, just wants to spend time at home, "It was a really hard decision. I get along wonderfully with the governor and staff," she said.)

Palin spokesman Bill McAllister said Goode agreed to stick around through the transition to whoever is hired next, and was briefing Palin staffers this morning about the dynamics of the Legislature.

Goode was the fourth third person to hold the legislative director job under Palin – following John Bitney and the period when Heather Brakes and Russ Kelly. were double-teaming the position. (Note Jan. 11: While Brakes was appointed in 2007 to share the job with Kelly, she subsequently backed out and didn't go on the payroll, a spokeswoman for the governor said on Sunday).

Palin’s scheduler, Janice Mason, also gave notice yesterday. Mason is based in Juneau, and Goode in Anchorage.