Taylor stepping down from Iowa House seat

Rep. Dick Taylor, D-Cedar Rapids, will resign his House 33 seat, he said today.

Taylor, 78, has served 10 years in the House. He was elected and re-elected six times in the historically Democratic stronghold that covers much of southeast and southwest Cedar Rapids.

He had been planning to stand for re-election in 2010, but family health concerns changed those plans, said Taylor, who is a retired electrical and construction worker.

“I won't quit politics,” Taylor said, suggesting he may get involved in Cedar Rapids city politics.

“We've done a lot of good for this district,” Taylor said about his time in the Legislature. He cited street and highway improvements as well as continuing growth in several industries.

“It's not all my fault – other local guys have really helped.”

The district was heavily damaged in the June 2008 flood and Taylor worked on recovery efforts as a member of the House Rebuild Iowa Committee. He also has served on Local Government, Veterans Affairs and Administration and Regulation committees.

He's aware a number of potential candidates are weighing whether to run in a special election that has not yet been scheduled.