It’s never good news for a governor and his party when a lieutenant governor resigns under fallout from a federal probe on racketeering. It’s even more damaging when it involves gambling, the Republican Party and previous headlines from the lieutenant governor’s office.

Personally, I’m sad to see Jennifer Carroll resign from office. After a 20-year career in the U.S. Navy, she served in the Florida House and is well-liked by her colleagues. However, her resignation is probably best for her and her family and a political necessity for the Republican Party and its struggling governor.