White House spokesman Lockhart leaving next month

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart has informed his boss that he will leave the administration after September.

Lockhart

Lockhart took over the White House press secretary's duties in 1998, at the height of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Earlier, he served as a deputy to then-Press Secretary Mike McCurry and as a spokesman for President Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign.

Lockhart will pursue private sector ventures and the lecture circuit after leaving the White House and plans to spend more time with his wife, Laura Logan, and 6-year-old daughter Clare.

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He announced earlier this year he would leave at the end of the congressional session, which is expected to wrap up in early October. His exact departure date is still undecided.

Lockhart's heir apparent is White House Deputy Press Secretary Jake Siewert, who joined the press office from the National Economic Council. The White House says the president is not yet ready to make an official announcement.

Before joining the political world, Lockhart held journalism positions at SKY Television, CNN and ABC News. He also worked for numerous presidential campaigns: Michael Dukakis in 1988, Walter Mondale's 1984 bid and the 1980 Jimmy Carter campaign.