Multiple sources are saying that Lt. Governor Tim Murray will resign to take a job as president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. Strike while the iron is hot: the job reportedly pays $200,000, fits his skill set, is near his home, he has small children, and his political career was running out the string.

Murray will be remembered of course for the early morning state vehicle car crash in 2011 and his alleged fund raising connections to disgraced (some one write in, can Mike McLaughlin be disgraced?)  Chelsea Housing chief McLaughlin. US Attorney Carmen Ortiz has reportedly been ready to give McLaughlin a sweet heart deal in exchange for testimony against Murray. Apparently the Chamber isn’t concerned and given the recent inability of prosecutors in this state to convict pols in politics-as-usual cases, perhaps they have reason for comfort. If Ortiz doesn’t get Murray out of the McLaughlin deal, you have to wonder.

Murray is reportedly popular in the Patrick administration. He cheerfully served as a campaign attack dog and handled a lot of the odious patronage dealings (McLaughlin’s son, maybe Sheila Burgess though he denies it) that are an essential part of Beacon Hill relations. In that respect he caught some of the attacks that otherwise might have reached the governor, another important function for the second in command.

I’ll be on with Michael Graham  of the New England Talk Network at 12:15 to discuss the resignation.