Just into the newsroom: a state legislator from Cedar Rapids has resigned. Taylor’s 46-year-old son, a Linn County deputy, died tragically this summer. The Cedar Rapids Gazette’s James Q. Lynch talked with Taylor. Taylor told Lynn Campbell of IowaPolitics.com that his wife has fallen ill, and he is the primary care giver. Dick Taylor is 78 years old. He and his wife, Jan, have been married for 54 years.
Rep. Dick Taylor Announces Resignation from Iowa House
Cedar Rapids, Iowa – State Representative Dick Taylor, D-Cedar Rapids, today announced his resignation from Iowa House District 33, effective immediately.
“It has been a great honor to serve the people of House District 33 and Cedar Rapids. From raising the minimum wage to expanded preschool to health care for every Iowa child, I’m proud of my service in the House helping middle class families,” said Taylor. “However, after 9 years in the House, it’s time for me to focus full-time on my family.”
Rep. Taylor was elected to the House in a special election in 2000. He and his wife, Jan, have lived in Cedar Rapids for 49 years and have been married for 54 years. Taylor served in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Menard off the coast of Korea during the Korean War. He has been instrumental in getting low-income veterans out of substandard housing and into the Veterans Home in Marshalltown and distributing food boxes to needy veterans. He is a member of the V.F.W., American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
Dick has been a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers since 1951. He served on the executive board of the Hawkeye Labor Council for twelve years. He has been active in local Democratic politics for many years, serving as a precinct committeeperson for ten years. He is a member of the Methodist Church and has been a Mason for 55 years. He is also a member of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club.
After receiving Rep. Taylor’s letter of resignation today, Governor Culver has five days to set the special election.
About O.Kay Henderson
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award.
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