(Des Moines)– Five Iowa state senators have turned in their resignations.
Iowa law says that after redistricting, senators placed in the same district face an election instead of finishing their four-year terms.
If one resigns by the first Wednesday in February, the other may finish out his or her term without an election.
Of the five who resigned Wednesday, two incumbents from the other party benefited.
The resignation of Senator Pat Ward of West Des Moines means Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines won’t have to stand for election. The resignation of Senate President Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg means Republican David Johnson of Ocheyedan won’t face re-election.
The resignations are effective in January 2013.
Legislators in the House don’t face the problem because they serve two-year terms.
(From the Associated Press).
