Attorney General Lawrence Wasden’s chief deputy is leaving state government.

Brian Kane has been hired as executive director of the National Association of Attorneys General. He will start on Sept. 19, according to Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press.

Kane, 52, a U.S. Army veteran and former private attorney, has worked in the attorney general’s office since 2001, Russell reported. A year later, Wasden was elected attorney general.

As Wasden’s longtime chief deputy, Kane was Wasden’s point person on legislative matters.

“Yes, if I’m being honest, I love this job,” Kane told Russell. “I think this is probably one of the best jobs I’ve ever had in my life, and it’s hard to say goodbye to it.”

The news comes two months after Wasden lost his bid for a sixth term. Former U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador defeated Wasden in the May GOP primary. Labrador faces Democrat Steve Scanlin in the November general election.