N.J. governor addresses decision to resign

WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J., Sept. 8 (UPI) -- New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey said he decided to resign his post to help state government continue to run effectively.

"I had a personal crisis which I attempted to respond to in the most honest way I could," McGreevey said, the Times of Trenton, N.J., reported. The newspaper said McGreevey called the decision "a process of transformation and prayer and understanding."

Last month, the New Jersey governor, the married father of two, admitted he is gay and had a homosexual affair. The man who has been identified in the affair denied he is gay and, in fact, had been sexually harassed by McGreevey.

McGreevey Tuesday toured a plant that makes escape chutes for airplanes, an appearance to bring attention to the governor's job training efforts. The Times said the governor was well-received by the plant's workers, who even booed reporters who called out questions to McGreevey about his resignation.

"I made a difficult, yes, personal decisions, to assure that the governor's office and state administration run competently," the governor said.

McGreevey is to resign as governor on Nov. 15. Unless a court intervenes and orders a special election, McGreevey will be replaced as governor by state Senate President Richard Codey, another Democrat.