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.
The Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/xgOiom ) that of the five who resigned Wednesday, two incumbents from the other party benefited.
The resignation of Sen. Pat Ward, R-West Des Moines, means Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, won't have to stand for election. The resignation of Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, means Republican David Johnson, of Ocheyedan, won't face election.
The resignations are effective in January 2013.
Legislators in the House don't face the problem because they serve two-year terms.
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Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/
