Dix resigns after kissing video surfaces

The state senator who represents southern Butler County and served as the majority leader for the last five years resigned in disgrace on Monday after a video of him kissing a statehouse lobbyist at a Des Moines bar on March 1 surfaced in a story posted by Iowa Starting Line, a left-leaning political blog.

Bill Dix, a 55-year-old Shell Rock Republican, had been mired in controversy over the last year related to his handling of a sexual harassment scandal at the Capitol and the subsequent firing of a former staffer in what she perceived as an act of retaliation for reporting the allegations. Kirsten Anderson eventually settled for $1.75 million and has since attended several public events to speak out against her former boss. Last summer, Dix told The Grundy Register that training had become a focal point under his watch.

“We’ve done that on a routine annual basis ever since we became aware of the issues and have been trying to ensure that these matters are dealt with swiftly and effectively,” he said.

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