Kitzhaber Resigns

Oregon Gov. Kitzhaber announces his resignation amid scandal SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Long-time Democratic Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has announced his resignation amid allegations his fiancée used her relationship with him to enrich herself. In a lengthy statement released Friday, Kitzhaber said he broke no laws and said his resignation would be effective on Wednesday. The decision capped a wild week in which Kitzhaber seemed poised to step down, then changed his mind, but ultimately bowed to calls from legislative leaders that he quit. Secretary of State Kate Brown, a Democrat like Kitzhaber, is expected to assume the office and become the first openly bisexual governor in the country. The 67-year-old Kitzhaber handily won re-election in November to a fourth term after surviving the botched rollout of Oregon’s online health care exchange. But the allegations surrounding his 47-year-old fiancée Cylvia Hayes’ work were more harmful, dominating headlines in the state following his victory.