Condit press secretary: 'We love this guy'

By Ted Barrett
CNN Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A spokesman for Rep. Gary Condit denied reports that he and other senior staff members are preparing to resign their positions out of frustration over the ongoing investigation into missing former intern Chandra Levy.

"This guy's been like family to me. I'm not going anywhere," press secretary Randy Groves said.

Groves, who had referred all questions about the Levy investigation to a public relations specialist recently hired by Condit, changed course and agreed to go on the record about the speculation over resignations.

"I think I can also speak for Mike," Groves said in a reference to Mike Dayton, Condit's Washington-based administrative assistant and legislative director. "We love this guy. He's been very good to us. We're not going anywhere."

Groves also pointed to an interview with Condit's California-based chief of staff, Mike Lynch, in Friday's Modesto Bee in which Lynch said Condit is planning to run for re-election.

"No one has talked to me about quitting," Lynch told the paper. "It's more of a case of pulling together and helping each other out. When there's a difficult time, family pulls together. We are like a family."