Utah Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell announced his resignation Monday. Bell says financial pressures are making it tough to stay in the job he’s held since 2009.
Bell told reporters he’s about to turn 65 and he needs to save money for retirement. He was in the real estate business before he was appointed Lieutenant Governor, and he says the recession was pretty tough.
“I came out of that with some liabilities," Bell says, "most of which, I was able, one way or another, I was able to work with. But I’ve had one particular asset that required monthly maintenance. We thought it would sell and be liquidated, but it has not.”
Bell’s wife, JoLynn, says families make sacrifices of both money and time when members serve in elected office.
“He’s been just, very dedicated to this job and it’s a consuming job, at least the way he does it,” she said.
Governor Gary Herbert will appoint a replacement for Bell, and his choice will need to be confirmed by the state Senate. Bell says he’ll step down as soon as his successor is ready to take office.