NJ governor resigns, admits he's gay

James McGreevey, the governor of New Jersey state in the US, announced his resignation Thursday, acknowledging he was gay and that he had an extramarital affair with another man. The resignation goes into effect November 15.

"I am a gay American," he said. "As a young child, I often felt ambivalent about myself, in fact, confused," McGreevey said in his resignation speech.

He apologised for the stress he had caused his family and friends, but said he had finally decided to come out of the closet. His wife and parents were in the room with him.

McGreevey also admitted to an affair with another man. "It was wrong, it was foolish, it was inexecusable," he said.

"I realize... this affair and my own sexuality, if kept secret, leaves me, and most importantly the governor's office, vulnerable to rumours, false allegations and threats of disclosure. So I am removing these threats by telling you directly about my sexuality," he said.

McGreevey, who took office in January 2002, drew attention to himself by tackling a multi-billion dollar deficit by raising income taxes not on middle-class workers but on those earning over half-a-million, casinos and cigarette outlets.

But he has also been involved in many scandals, with Charles Kushner, McGreevey's biggest campaign contributor, being charged with alleged violation of federal tax and fraud statutes, for purported violation of federal campaign contribution laws and hiring prostitutes to suborn witnesses in a court case.

The governor had also earlier this year said he opposed gay marriage. McGreevey is married twice and has two children.