Assemblyman Dave Rible will resign in short order, according to a circulated email tonight.

Nominated by Governor Chris Christie, the 30th District Republican lawmaker from Wall, a former cop, will be going to the state Alcohol Beverage Control Board as the division director, sources say.

First elected to the assembly in 2007 prior to 2011 redistricting on a ticket with Mary Pat Angelini for the other assembly seat and Sean Kean for senate, the popular Rible rose quickly through the ranks of statehouse politics, becoming Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick’s right hand man in the Republican caucus.

He currently serves as conference leader.

Recognized as a strong party organizer who played a large and effective role in building the local Republican Committee in Wall, Rible appeared to be on a collision course with Kean for the senate seat currently occupied by veteran state Senator Bob Singer.

His departure ahead of the 2017 general election is a blow to Republicans, who have long depended on Rible’s prowess for bulked up numbers in countywide contests.

For an InsiderNJ list of possible successors to Rible, please go here.