John Kitzhaber, the longest-serving governor of Oregon, resigned on Friday, bowing down to political pressure over allegations that his live-in partner got juicy contracts for her green energy consulting business because of his position.

When his resignation takes effect on Wednesday, Secretary of State Kate Brown would take over his position, reports AP.

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Kitzhaber, also the country's first openly bisexual governor, stressed that stepping down is not an admission of guilt. He stressed that he has not broken any law. However, he concedes that "I have become a liability to the very institutions and policies to which I have dedicated my career, and, indeed, my entire adult life."

Brown, 54, makes LGBT history by being the first openly bisexual governor. She will not serve the governor's full term but must run for the position in the next general election in 2016. Oregon has other LGBT members in public office such as gay Portland Mayor Sam Adams and lesbian House Speaker Tina Kotek, notes Miami Herald.

However, Oregon's attorney general said she would still pursue a criminal investigation of Kitzhaber and fiancée Cylvia Hayes that she has initiated, despite the governor's resignation.

Kitzhaber ended his second term in 2003 and staged a political comeback in 2010. He initially said he would resign, changed his mind, but on Friday gave in to pressure from legislative leaders for him to step down.

While holding back his tears, the outgoing governor said he is confident of not having breached law or done any dishonest act both in intent or outcome, but as part of his principle to do the right thing, "now the right thing to do is to step aside."

Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney, after a meeting with the governor, said because the issue against Kitzhaber kept on escalating and getting worse.

Besides reports that Hayes was paid by advocacy groups and her active role in the governor's administration is viewed as a potential conflict of interest, she also admitted accepting US$5,000 in the 1990s to marry a man who sought immigration benefits and purchased a faraway land with plans to raise marijuana.

The 67-year-old governor met the 47-year-old Hayes - who uses the title First Lady of Oregon - in 2002 before the election. Both were candidates, he for governor and she for state legislature. He won, but she lost.

TagsOregon, John Kitzhaber, kate brown