New Jersey
governor hands in letter of resignation

Gov. James E. McGreevey submitted his letter of resignation Monday, ending a tenure doomed by a shocking summertime disclosure that he had engaged in a gay extramarital affair. The letter, signed by McGreevey, was filed with Secretary of State Regena Thomas. It says, "Dear Madam Secretary, I resign effective 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 15, 2004." McGreevey planned to spend part of the day at the governor's mansion completing any unfinished business, said Sean Darcy, a spokesman for the governor. McGreevey also planned to spend time with his family. On Sunday, state senate president Richard Codey took the oath of office as acting governor in a private ceremony at his home. He takes over once McGreevey has officially left the job at midnight. "I'm looking forward to governing and bringing back calm, peace, and a sense of harmony to the state of New Jersey," Codey, 57, a Democrat, said after his brief ceremony. The transfer of power caps a transition period that began with McGreevey's announcement in August that he is gay and would resign this month with 14 months left in his term. On Friday, a pair of moving trucks carted the governor's belongings away from the statehouse. McGreevey is reportedly moving to an apartment in Rahway while his wife moves to a home in Springfield, where she plans to live with the couple 's 2-year-old daughter. Because New Jersey is one of eight states without the position of lieutenant governor, Codey will wield the clout of both governor and senate leader for a time, filling the governor's term, which ends in January 2006. Codey said last week that he has not ruled out a run next year for a full term as governor, although U.S. senator Jon Corzine, a popular politician with vast financial resources, is expected to pursue the Democratic nomination. Some of the state's highest-profile Republicans also have been lining up to run for the job. When asked what his plans were for Monday, Codey said he would do what he has done many times during his decades as a public servant--spend the day at unglamorous committee meetings. And the day after that, he said, he would start making New Jersey's executive office his own. Codey plans to make ethics reform a top priority. Ending the practice of awarding government contracts in exchange for campaign contributions has topped lawmakers' agendas over the past few months. McGreevey faced serious questions about the ethics of his administration, including the hiring of his alleged lover as his homeland security adviser. Codey, a longtime champion of mental health concerns, added that one of the first things he will do is form a task force to look at ways of improving New Jersey's care for mentally ill people. Codey also has been a longtime proponent of putting slot machines at the Meadowlands horse-racing track, a move that could help close a projected $4 billion budget deficit but could also reshape gambling in the state, where Atlantic City casinos have long been the top players.