Another Miss USA controversy as Miss New Jersey steps down

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ASHLEY HARDER, the reigning Miss New Jersey, has resigned after discovering she's pregnant.

Just a month after Miss USA pageant owner DONALD TRUMP stripped KATIE REES of her current Miss Nevada title after photos of her kissing another girl appeared on the internet, and weeks after the tycoon insisted reigning Miss USA TARA CONNER seek counselling to control her wild ways, Miss New Jersey's tiara is looking for a new head.

The 20-year-old voluntarily stepped down this morning (15JAN07) because it's against pageant rules to compete while pregnant.

Runner-up ERIN ABRAHAMSON, 23, will assume the title and will represent the state in the upcoming Miss USA pageant in March (07). (KL/WNWC/GES)