George Allen switches the voice of his campaign As Republican George Allen gears up for his expected general election campaign against Democrat Tim Kaine, he has switched spokespeople. George Allen responds to a question during the third and final Republican primary debate for U.S. Senate in Virginia, May 25, 2012, at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, Va. (Richard A. Lipski - For The Washington Post) Bill Riggs, who served as press secretary and lead spokesman for nearly a year, departed quietly last week. He's a former spokesman for the Republican National Committee, serving as a regional spokesman in 2008 and director of regional media in 2010. Emily Davis was hired as deputy communications director last month and has taken over as Allen's day-to-day spokeswoman. Katie Wright still leads the press shop. She served as communications director after working two election cycles at the RNC. The Allen campaign did not respond to questions about staff changes. Riggs could not be reached for comment. Allen is polling far ahead in the June 12 GOP primary against Del. Robert G. Marshall (Prince William) Bishop E.W. Jackson and former Virginia tea party leader Jamie Radtke.