State Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham has told his employees he will be replaced, preempting an official announcement from Gov.-elect Nathan Deal's transition team.

On Dec. 8, Graham sent an e-mail to employees at the Department of Revenue to alert them that Deal will not reappoint him to his post.

"Earlier this week I informed our Division Directors and some Assistant Div Directors that I have been told I will be replaced as commissioner by the new administration. I intend to be here at least through the end of Governor Perdue's term and will update you as soon as I have additional information," Graham wrote in the e-mail.

Perhaps hinting that it was somewhat expected, Graham reminded employees he was appointed to the position when Perdue took office.

"The best compliment anyone can receive is to see all your fine work executed daily with vigor, with little distraction, and with full support of your leadership even when it changes just as it did when I came in 2003," Graham wrote.

Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said the governor-elect has not yet decided who will be in the position of revenue commissioner.

"(Graham) is part of another administration and we have no comments on his e-mails. These are personnel matters which we will not discuss until decisions have been made," Robinson said.

Since his election Nov. 2, Deal has been evaluating the state's departments and agencies. Deal has chosen to keep many of the leaders from Perdue's administration on board when he takes office in January.

Many believed Deal would appoint a new revenue commissioner because of past tension with Graham.

Deal's auto salvage business in Gainesville had a state contract to serve as a site for state employees to inspect rebuilt vehicles. While in the U.S. House of Representatives, Deal intervened when Graham tried to privatize the state salvage inspection program.

Graham said at the time that privatization would make the program more competitive. Deal raised questions about the program's safety, if privatized.