Caught in kiss, Iowa lawmaker resigns

DES MOINES, Iowa — The majority leader of the Iowa Senate resigned Monday after a website published video showing the married lawmaker kissing a statehouse lobbyist.

Sen. Bill Dix, 55, submitted a one-sentence resignation letter several hours after the website Iowa Starting Line published its report about the Shell Rock Republican.

Dix did not comment on the circumstances surrounding his resignation as majority leader and as state senator, though Republican Senate President Jack Whitver alluded to the website’s allegations in a statement.

“I believe he made the right decision for himself and for his district, but most importantly, I believe he made the decision in the best interest of his family,” said Whitver about Dix.

Republicans in the GOP-controlled chamber plan to elect a new majority leader on Wednesday.

Iowa Starting Line posted video and photos on Monday showing Dix and a woman sitting together at a Des Moines bar. The video shows the two kiss. The website said the incident was recorded March 1.

The woman was identified as a lobbyist for Iowa League of Cities, an organization that seeks to sway legislation at the state Capitol. She did not respond to a request for comment.