ATLANTA — Citing a budding romance with the Department of Transportation commissioner, DOT board Chairman Mike Evans resigned on Thursday.

It was less than three months after he won a bitterly contested re-election bid for the 9th District seat, decided by a vote of the state legislative delegation from the district.

“There are those who suffered great losses in support of me,” Mr. Evans said in a statement. “I will spend the rest of my days trying to restore their trust...”

But the former state legislator told fellow board members Thursday that in his close work with Transportation Commissioner Gena Abraham, “we realized there was a possibility of something more than just a friendship.”

Dr. Abraham, 39, was the hand-picked choice of Gov. Sonny Perdue to lead the troubled department and has been at the helm for just five months. She declined to comment after the meeting board meeting.

Mr. Evans had supported Dr. Abraham for the commissioner post, opposing House Speaker Glenn Richardson’s choice, Rep. Vance Smith, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

His vote helped her to a 7-6 victory and to become the first woman to hold the post.

It also earned him the enmity of Rep. Richardson.

When Mr. Evans was up for re-election, the speaker fought him, and some area lawmakers who helped him win a Feb. 1 secret ballot quickly paid a price.

Some of them expressed surprise and disappointment Thursday.

Rep. John Meadows, R-Calhoun, said he was among the “notorious DOT 5” who were stripped by the speaker of leadership positions — and even choice office space — for backing Mr. Evans. Rep. Meadows lost posts as vice chairman of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee and secretary of the Insurance Committee

“I did what I thought was right and what the people of my district thought. That’s who they wanted,” Rep. Meadows said, but said he was “real surprised” by Mr. Evans’ departure.

“I’m disappointed and I think my area of the state is disappointed,” he said.

Rep. Martin Scott, R-Rossville, lost his position as secretary of the Ways and Means Committee and as co-chairman of the income tax subcommittee of Ways and Means.

In a brief e-mail Thursday, Rep. Scott said events were “disappointing, to say the least,” and added, “The taxpayers deserve better out of their Department of Transportation.”

Sen. Don Thomas, R-Dalton said “it was wise for him to resign,” and had a larger concern, hoping Commissioner Abraham’s position is not affected.

“She is a very qualified person,” he said, “and has demonstrated her ability to manage billion dollar projects, and I think is the right person for the commissioner’s job.”

Sen. Thomas said. “With her abilities and the start she’s gotten off to, she’s making real good moves to change the situation that has existed in transportation.”

There was no word on Dr. Abraham’s future with the department. A special board meeting was scheduled for Monday.

A spokesman for Gov. Perdue said the governor was in Texas participating in a forum on sustainable energy and would reserve comment until he returned on Friday.

The department has been in financial tumult, and last week Gov. Perdue announced an outside audit of DOT after a preliminary study by state officials found that that the state has promised about $1 billion more in transportation contracts than it can afford.

“There is a smell that’s not very pleasant about what’s happening and what’s being found there,” he said then.

Mr. Evans said Thursday their relationship grew “over the last month or so” as the two worked together. “I have grown to admire and respect her more and more every day.”

DOT policy forbids personal relationships within the direct chain of command. The board oversees Dr. Abraham, approving things like her $175,000 annual salary.

The board was informed Wednesday and met in executive session for almost two hours Thursday morning before Mr. Evans announced his resignation.

“My heart is certainly heavy today,” Mr. Evans said, noting that he was disappointing allies who had helped him get re-elected just a few months ago.

Last month he had sent thanks for the resolutions or letters of support from Ringgold, Catoosa County and Fort Oglethorpe.

“I’m shocked. You have got to be kidding,” Fort Oglethorpe interim city manager Ron Goulart said. “We approved a letter of support for Mr. Evans in his re-election bid and sent it to voting members of the General Assembly from District 9.”

The revelation of the burgeoning romance between the two divorcees left some board members shaking their heads.

“This could not have happened at a more inopportune time,” board member David Doss said.

Staff writers Ryan Harris and Ronnie Moore, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.