| McGreevey -- a married father of two -- said he would leave office November 15. Such a move ensures that state Senate President Richard Codey, a fellow Democrat, will serve the the remainder of his term, which ends in January 2006.
If McGreevey leaves office before before September 15, state law requires a special gubernatorial election on November 2.
Kyrillos said he knew McGreevey's decision was "tough," but said the governor -- whose administration had been buffeted by scandal before his personal revelation -- needed to go further to resolve matters.
"His decision is bigger than Jim McGreevey," said Kyrillos. "It transcends one person, one governor. It's a much bigger issue."
Kyrillos predicted "more awkward stories" would be coming out about McGreevey, making it "very difficult for him to carry out the duties of his office."
Sources: Lawsuit readied
McGreevey's stunning announcement -- in which he described a long struggle with his sexuality -- came as Golan Cipel, a former security aide to the governor, had readied a sexual harassment lawsuit against the governor, two Democratic sources told CNN. Cipel resigned his post in 2002.
A third Democratic source, who had spoken throughout the day with a top aide to the governor, told CNN it is unclear whether Cipel will proceed with the lawsuit now that McGreevey has announced his resignation.
CNN has made repeated attempts to reach Cipel for comment.
McGreevey, 47, admitted to an affair with a man and asked for his family's forgiveness. But he never identified the man.
As he announced that he would be leaving office, McGreevey said Thursday that he wanted "to facilitate a responsible transition."
Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance,a Republican, called that argument "nonsense."
Kyrillos said state Republicans "are exploring and looking at legal options for the people of New Jersey" if McGreevey does not step down immediately.
McGreevey was away with his family and unavailable for comment. Codey is to hold a news conference Friday afternoon.
Bill Palatucci, the New Jersey Republican state committee's finance chairman, had harsh words for McGreevey at Monday's news conference.
"He is the master of deception. He has deceived himself, he has deceived his family, and he has deceived all the voters of New Jersey. He tried to deceive all of us yesterday by trying to make the basis of his resignation ... his sexual orientation," he said. "This is ... about his conduct in office."
He railed against an "ongoing pattern of corruption" among members of McGreevey's administration, and accused McGreevey of exercising "poor judgment."
McGreevey has not been charged with any corruption, but some of his close political allies have been engulfed in scandals. Last month one of his top fund-raisers, Charles Kushner, was charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice and interstate promotion of prostitution. Kushner's attorney called the charges baseless. |
