Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams lost a top aide but gained an election campaign chair on Thursday.

Ross Reid has resigned as deputy minister in the premier's office, Williams's office announced.

Ross Reid was a key architect in the Progressive Conservative victory in 2003.
(CBC)

Reid, though, will still be working closely with Williams, as he will be campaign chair for the Progressive Conservatives in the Oct. 9 election.

Reid served in the same capacity in the 2003 general election, and was credited for a well-focused campaign that brought the Tories back to power after 14 years of Liberal rule.

Reid was MP for the federal riding of St. John's East from 1988 to 1993, and had previously been an aide to former prime minister Brian Mulroney.

Reid's departure comes on the heels of two prominent resignations in Tory circles.

Last Friday, Loyola Sullivan stepped down as finance minister and the 14-year representative for Ferryland district.

Ed Byrne, who lost his cabinet post in June because of a scandal involving excessive constituency allowance payments, resigned his seat in Kilbride district, effective Jan. 1.

Meanwhile, Williams announced that he had promoted his executive assistant, Stephen Dinn, to serve as deputy chief of staff in his office.