by NW Spotlight
Just two days after a bizarre flip-flop [2] which ended with Oregon Gov. Kitzhaber stating definitively [3] “I am not resigning. I have a job to do,” Gov. Kitzhaber has indeed resigned. The announcement came in an email [4] shortly after Noon today that the Governor was resigning effective at 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 18, 2015.
Per the Oregon constitution [5], Kitzhaber will be replaced by Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown, also a Democrat.
The troubles are not over for now former Gov. Kitzhaber and former First Lady Cylvia Hayes. They are facing criminal investigations by the Oregon Attorney General [6], the FBI [7] and potentially the IRS [8].
Just yesterday, Nigel Jaquiss reported that [9] “Gov. John Kitzhaber’s office last week requested state officials destroy thousands of records in the governor’s personal email accounts,” which was then reported nationally [10].
They also still face a civil investigation by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission [11].
Links
Resignation letter from Gov. Kitzhaber [12]
MP3 of Gov. Kitzhaber speaking on his resignation [13] – provided by Gov. Kitzhaber’s office
Media in waiting room outside Governor’s office in Capitol – Feb 13, 2015 (Oregon Catalyst)
OREGON NEWS
Nigel Jaquiss at Willamette Week: Gov. John Kitzhaber Announces His Resignation [20]
Oregonian: Governor John Kitzhaber announces his resignation [21]
Statesman Journal: Gov. John Kitzhaber announces resignation [22]
NATIONAL NEWS
NY Times: Gov. John Kitzhaber of Oregon Resigns Amid Crisis [23]
Washington Post: Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber announces resignation [24]
USA Today: Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber quits amid criminal probe [25]
Wall Street Journal: Front page from Sat, Feb 14, 2015 [26]