Rumors are swirling on Beacon Hill that Suzanne Bump, Gov. Deval Patrick’s labor secretary, will leave her post by the end of the month to join a crowded Democratic race to replace state auditor Joseph DeNucci.

Bump, a former state representative who has been positioning herself for the race since earlier this year, told Patrick this week she was leaving, according to a Beacon Hill source.

Long time auditor Joseph A. DeNucci announced last Monday he will not run for re-election, prompting a slew of candidate interest. Republican Mary Connaughton, a former Massachusetts Turnpike board member, announced she is running, and Sen. Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton) also expressed interest.

Worcester Sheriff Guy Glodis, another Democrat who is widely expected to run for the office, said he won’t make a decision until after the race for the U.S Senate.

Bump, 53, served as a Braintree state representative from 1985 to 1993 and co-chaired the committee of commerce and labor.

A Patrick spokesman declined comment, and Bump did not immediately return a call for comment.

Gov. Deval Patrick announced former Boston City Councilor candidate Tito Jackson would be the political director of his campaign today, charged with shaping the governor’s outreach to political groups. Jackson served in the executive office of housing and development before his at-large bid.

The campaign also announced that Sydney Asbury, who currently serves as Patrick policy advisor, will be campaign manager.

Charlotte Golar Ritchie, the current executive director of the committee, is leaving at the end of the year.

Cambridge Mayor E. Denise Simmons on state Sen. Anthony Galluccio’s case …

“I have reviewed the newly-released Cambridge Police incident report that chronicles the events that took place on October 4, 2009, during which the Cambridge Police encountered an allegedly intoxicated State Senator Anthony Galluccio and drove him home. This episode occurred approximately 12 hours before Senator Galluccio was involved in a minor car accident at the corner of Garden and Linnaean Street; he was later issued two citations for allegedly leaving the scene of that accident.

As I stated last month, I am very thankful that nobody was seriously injured in that accident. As I also stated, Senator Galluccio’s alleged actions that day were irresponsible and dangerous. Being a public official does not give one a pass to engage in dangerous or illegal behavior, and it is therefore only appropriate that this matter shall be resolved in the context of our legal system.

In the coming days, I shall be consulting with Commissioner Haas to determine if the police officers were acting within their discretion in driving Senator Galluccio home. Barring any further developments, I am reserving further comment at this time.”

Statement from Superintendent Steven Williams on state Sen. Anthony Galluccio:

“Historically if a call for service does not involve a crime, Cambridge Police Officers have not been required to write a report of the incident. In this particular case, a report was not written immediately following the incident. When a Supervisor was made aware of what occurred he directed the Officer to write a report. A report was filed at 5:51 pm on October 29th.

The Cambridge Police Department does not have a written policy on transporting citizens, but it is not unusual for an Officer to give someone a ride. In this case, the Officers did not violate any Department policy. Mr. Galluccio’s vehicle was not at the scene and Officers did not observe him attempting to drive any vehicle.

This encounter occurred approximately 12 hours prior to the October 4th hit and run.”

Members of the left-leaning blog the Blue Mass group have organized a protest over the perceived special treatment of Sen. Anthony Galluccio (D-Cambridge), who has another court date on Friday on hit and run charges.

The Associated Press reported today that Galluccio received a ride home from Cambridge police 13 hours before the Oct. 4 accident where he drove away after hitting a mini-van and injuring a teen. The report said a gas station attendant called police after he deemed Galluccio too drunk to drive away.

“I am very disappointed, and the Senate will be prepared to act when there is a final disposition of his court case and all allegations,” said Senate President Therese Murray in a statement.

The protesters plan to set up camp outside the courthouse the morning of Galluccio’s pre-trial hearing Friday to call attention to what they believe is special treatment from the courts. Galluccio was convicted twice of driving under the influence.