State GOP Chairman Ed Cox just announced the party’s spokesman, Alex Carey, is resigning his post but will continue to provide advice on communications issues and special projects going forward.

Executive Director Tom Basile will be handling press on an interim basis and will not, as was reported last week, be “peacing out” anytime soon.

If you read between the lines here, this essentially means the chairman has decided to reward Basile for his loyalty and reject calls to oust him as a sort of consolation prize for detractors who were actually gunning for Cox himself, but had no means of forcing him out.

Here’s Cox’s statement:

“Alex has been an integral member of our team and utilized his wealth of communications experience to develop and implement a strategic communications plan that will continue to benefit the Party’s efforts going forward.”

“Alex helped revamp our website, upgrade our social media capabilities, and lead the Republican charge in spreading our message of lower taxes, more jobs, and less spending throughout the campaign. I look forward to our continued collaboration on projects integral to the New York Republican Party’s messaging in the future.”

Carey joined the state party payroll last February, returning to New York (he’s originally from Westchester) after serving four years in the office of Minnesota Gov. (and potential 2012 presidential contender) Tim Pawlenty.

To say that Carey had a tough job is really a vast understatement when you consider all the subterfuge that surrounded the 2010 elections and the GOP’s selection of the top of its ticket.

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