TRENTON, N.J., Sept. 9 (UPI) -- New Jersey Democrat Gov. Jim McGreevey, the nation's only openly gay governor, may be reconsidering his decision to resign from office.
The Trentonian reported Thursday that McGreevey, who said he would quit on Nov. 15, after admitting to an illicit relationship with a male former state employee, "may be rethinking his resignation."
That McGreevey might stay on was hinted at by a state attorney Wednesday in federal court defending McGreevey's decision to delay the resignation past the date that would, under the state constitution, trigger a special election.
Two New Jersey residents have brought suit, challenging the timetable for McGreevey's departure. They argue that when McGreevey announced his intention to quit on Aug. 12, he resigned and that, by law, there should be a special election to choose his successor.
New Jersey Assistant Attorney General Stefanie Brand told the court that no vacancy exists in the governor's office because McGreevey has not yet submitted a formal written letter of resignation.
Under current law, the governorship will pass to the president of the state senate, in this case Democrat Richard Codey, because of the timing of McGreevey's departure. Had he stepped down before Sept. 3, a special election would have been called for Nov. 2, 2004, the same day voters go to the polls to choose the next U.S. president.
