Jan 15, 4:47 PM EST

The Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J. -- Another Miss USA tiara is changing heads. Ashley Harder, Miss New Jersey USA, has resigned because she is pregnant, The Philadelphia Daily News reported in Monday's editions.

Harder, 20, told the newspaper she voluntarily stepped down because it's against pageant rules to compete while pregnant. She could not be reached for comment by The Associated Press.

Both the pageant and the runner-up for 2007 Miss New Jersey USA confirmed Monday that the reins have changed hands. Erin Abrahamson, 23, said pageant officials called her Friday to let her know she would be assuming the title.

"Whatever made her resign, I wish her lots of luck and hope she's OK," Abrahamson said of Harder, adding that pageant officials didn't tell her why she would be taking over.

Harder's resignation is the latest to hit the pageant.

Miss Nevada USA Katie Rees was stripped of her title after racy photos of her appeared on the Internet. Miss USA Tara Conner, who was caught drinking in New York bars when she was still underage, was allowed to keep her tiara after she agreed to go into rehab and undergo drug testing.

Harder, who was crowned in October, told the newspaper she's expecting her child in "late summer" and plans to marry her live-in boyfriend.

Pageant spokeswoman Lark-Marie Anton confirmed Harder's resignation, but would only say it was "for personal reasons."

The Miss USA pageant is to be held on March 23 in Los Angeles. The winner of that competition goes on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. Both pageants are owned by Donald Trump and NBC.

Linky Poo

What is with all these scandalous hoes in the Miss USA Pageant?!

She's a ho because she got pregnant and had no choice but to abide by the rules and step down?

She's a ho because she got pregnant and had no choice but to abide by the rules and step down?

^exactly. She is pregnant, whats the big deal? Its not like she did anything totally scandalous.

Let's not brand her a "ho" so much as state that as a MISS (Insert State) they sign a contract when they agree to compete for the title. They should know the rules and one of them is not getting pregnant. I'm sorry but if this were my dream or goal, I would not get pregnant and would use EVERY measure to assure that I didn't.

AHAHA. WOW!

OK, so maybe "ho" was harsh. Sorry if that offended anyone.

Let's not brand her a "ho" so much as state that as a MISS (Insert State) they sign a contract when they agree to compete for the title. They should know the rules and one of them is not getting pregnant. I'm sorry but if this were my dream or goal, I would not get pregnant and would use EVERY measure to assure that I didn't.

I see what you are saying, however, how are any of us to know that she WAS trying to get pregnant...She could have taken every precaution that she could; birth control is not 100%.....regardless, she has to step down, someone else will reign and she will be planning for either a girl or a boy

They read the rulesm sign off on them and they have to abide by them, it's as simple as that. At least this one had the sense to step down instead of crying and blubbering on TV begging not to be stripped of her title.