Kansas Labor Secretary Karin Brownlee says she has been removed from her job by Gov. Sam Brownback.

Brownlee spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday after Brownback’s office announced she had stepped down. Brownlee says her departure is hard to understand but that Caleb Stegall, the governor’s chief counsel, told her she was expected to leave.

The Republican governor’s office gave no reason in announcing Brownlee’s departure. Brownback spokeswoman Sherriene Jones-Sontag declined to comment, saying it was a personnel matter.

Brownlee, also a Republican and a former state senator, has served since Brownback took office in January 2011. She said she feels good about her work as secretary.

Brownback named outgoing Kansas House member Lana Gordon as interim labor secretary.