Five Iowa legislators 
resign after redistricting

DES MOINES (AP) — 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 Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that of the five who resigned, 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.