My Governor Just Resigned

**AmyBoz** · 08-12-2004, 05:34 PM

Interesting afternoon here in Jersey!

(CNN) -- Dropping a political bombshell, New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey announced his resignation Thursday as he revealed he is a gay man who carried on an adulterous affair with a man.

With his wife standing by his side, McGreevey spoke in calm tones as he described his struggle with his sexuality, "a certain sense that separated me from others." It was something that he said began as a child.

"At a point in every person's life, one has to look deeply into the mirror of one one's soul and decide one's unique truth in the world, not as we may want to see it or hope to see it, but as it is," McGreevey said.

"And so, my truth is that I am a gay American," McGreevey said.

He also spoke of an affair with a man and asked for his family's forgiveness.

"Given the circumstances surrounding the affair and its likely impact upon my family and my ability to govern, I have decided the right course of action is to resign," McGreevey said.

He said his resignation would be effective November 15.

"This is an intensely personal decision and not one typically for the public domain," McGreevey said of his revelation. "Yet, it cannot and should not pass."

McGreevey, a first-term Democrat, took office in January 2002. His term wasn't due to expire until January 2006.

Senate President Richard Codey, another Democrat, will replace McGreevey as the state's chief executive; the state has no lieutenant governor's office.

Once considered a rising star in Democratic circles, McGreevey, 47, served in the state Legislature and as mayor of the town of Woodbridge before winning the governorship.

A Quinnipiac University poll released August 4 showed McGreevey's approval among state voters fell sharply after two Democratic fund-raisers were indicted on federal charges in July -- one of them accused of lining up prostitutes to discredit a witness in a tax fraud investigation, the other accused of extortion.

**guest2** · 08-12-2004, 06:17 PM

I just read about this on Yahoo. I feel so badly for his family.

**Dixie** · 08-12-2004, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by hmsclmom
I feel so badly for his family.

Me,too.

**Guest1** · 08-12-2004, 06:33 PM

ditto....what a shock for them & the folks of Jersey!

**Jerseygirl** · 08-12-2004, 09:09 PM

As a resident of Woodbridge Twp. this is no suprise--could this be why he didn't live with the Mrs. until he was running for gov.???

**grneyegrl** · 08-12-2004, 09:54 PM

wow im one town over and didnt know he didnt live with his wife..that should have been a huge tip off for her..i m not critizing her but all the flags and bells would have gone off for me.

i was at work and everyone was talking about it..i work in a supermarket..people were pulling out their cell phones..i had no clue he was\is gay..i joked to one of my coworkers that if he wanted a boyfriend he should come to our store,,we got a lot.
im friends with most of them...

**AmyMCGS** · 08-12-2004, 11:16 PM

Originally posted by grneyegrl
wow im one town over and didnt know he didnt live with his wife..that should have been a huge tip off for her..i m not critizing her but all the flags and bells would have gone off for me.

Well, it's possible that she knew all along~ one of those arrangements where they are married in title only, that way he has a typical American family unit to show when running for office. Who knows....

**lucy979** · 08-13-2004, 05:03 AM

That's what I was thinking Amy. If she didn't know right away I'm sure she found out soon enough. I really feel bad for her and their kids. (if they have any)

**canadian gardener** · 08-13-2004, 10:17 AM

I feel badly for all of them. No matter what they did in terms of living arrangements, it was their private life, and that is hard to have one's privacy destroyed.

I hope that the news focuses on the high points of his career and the good things that he was able to accomplish in his time in public office.

**Jayne** · 08-13-2004, 10:21 AM

It is pretty sad for the family....I also heard that it wasn't a big suprise to alot of people in New Jersey

**Darlene** · 08-13-2004, 11:14 AM

That governor put his families life in danger (healthwise esp.) and others too. It's my understanding that the "boyfriend" of the governor was hired by him to be in charge of homeland security there & wasn't in any way qualified for the job.
What a mess.

**Dixie** · 08-13-2004, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by Darlene
It's my understanding that the "boyfriend" of the governor was hired by him to be in charge of homeland security there & wasn't in any way qualified for the job.
What a mess.

That would anger me more than anything! I think he should have to repay the NJ taxpayers out of his own pocket.
This morning on the 'Today" show, Chris Matthews said gays would be happy he (the gov) was 'out'. I don't get that line of thinking at all.

To me, that would be the equivalent of heteros around the country being proud of Former Pres. Bill Clinton because of his adultery.

**Michele Annette** · 08-13-2004, 04:03 PM

I feel bad that all of this had to happen too!

**mustang80** · 08-17-2004, 02:20 PM

Add me to the list of "not surprised in NJ"

He couldn't get security clearance for his "boyfriend" because I believe the boyfriend is not a citizen of the US, he is a foreigner. I figured something was up a few years ago when he gave this guy a high paying position and no one knew who he was.

Funny how he's only been married 4 years, long enough to run in the election and be in office.

Sick to know where my tax money goes.....

**Kimmomo3** · 08-17-2004, 07:20 PM

NJ folks! If your Gov. waits to leave office you will not get the right to vote in a new Gov. this year. One will be appointed. So if you want to have an election this year you need him out of office more than 60 days before the election. Which he is NOT planning on doing.