The rumor we first reported here on the SLOG last week and in today’s Stranger (See “In Other News”) is now official: State Democratic Party Chair Paul Berendt announced today that he’s resinging. (We’ll post the resignation letter as soon as it arrives.. “more time with my family, time for new leadership” etc…) Berendt has been chair for 11 years.

He will serve until Jan. 27, at which time the membership will elect a new chair. Dwight Pelz? Dick Kelley? Greg Rodriguez?

Berendt says he does not have another job lined up yet.

Berendt was planning to leave before I published the over-billing story yesterday, so the two aren’t related.

Although, on Monday, the day before I published the story, he told me his departure “wasn’t imminent.” I asked him to define imminent, and he said it meant he had no plans to make an announcement yet.

Hmmmmm….