Iowa Lt. Gov Adam Gregg resigns immediately, takes job leading Iowa Bankers Association

In a surprise announcement, Iowa Lieutenant Gov. Adam Gregg has resigned his position effective immediately to take a job leading the Iowa Bankers Association.

Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a statement Tuesday afternoon saying Gregg would be resigning immediately "to pursue a career opportunity that allows him to focus more on his family."

Later Tuesday afternoon, the Iowa Bankers Association announced that Gregg has been chosen as its new president and CEO.

Reynolds appointed Gregg as lieutenant governor after she assumed the governorship in 2017. He won election as her running mate in 2018 and 2022.

In a statement, Gregg, a Republican, said serving alongside Reynolds for seven years "has been a great honor."

"However, as Scripture reminds us, for everything there is a season, and there is a time to every purpose under heaven," Gregg, 41, said in the statement. "I feel my time in public service must come to a close. This season of my life needs to be focused on my family. My kids are growing up too fast, and statewide elected offices force me to miss more of their lives than I can accept. While difficult, the decision to resign from this role allows me to honor my most important commitment ― my family."

More: Read Adam Gregg's full resignation letter as Iowa's lieutenant governor

Reynolds praised Gregg for his service to the state and to his family.

"Adam has been a tremendous partner and an important part of my team over the last seven years, and I greatly appreciate his service to Iowans," Reynolds said in a statement. "It comes as no surprise that he would choose to step down to prioritize his personal life. Adam is a devoted husband and father, and there is nothing more important to him than his family. Even as lieutenant governor, he has made time to coach his young son and daughter, be involved at their school, and participate together in church activities. This most certainly is the right decision for Adam, and I wish him, Cari and their children only the best."

Under Iowa law, the governor has the power to appoint a new lieutenant governor to fill the vacancy for the remainder of Gregg's term. Gregg received a base salary of just over $103,000 last year.

Until Reynolds appoints a new lieutenant governor, Senate President Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton, is next in Iowa's line of succession.

Gregg, of Hawarden, is an attorney who served as Iowa's state public defender before being appointed lieutenant governor in 2017. He ran unsuccessfully for attorney general in 2014.

In a statement, he said he is excited to join the Iowa Bankers Association.

“In my time as lieutenant governor, I found that for every good thing happening in our state, there was an Iowa bank backing it," he said. "Now I have the great honor to represent this industry, which is so critical to Iowa’s success."

Iowa Bankers Association Chair Mary Kay Bates praised Gregg for his work building local communities as lieutenant governor.

"He is a person of great integrity who, like our member banks, has demonstrated a commitment to making Iowa a better place to live, work and bank," she said in a statement.

Iowa's elected officials thanked Gregg for his service Tuesday.

"I want to thank Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg for his years of service to the people of Iowa," State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, said in a statement. "He was always capable of seeing past disagreements to focus on places to work together."

Attorney General Brenna Bird called Gregg "the epitome of what it means to be a leader."

"I have nothing but admiration for the incredible work Adam has done to move our state forward & his decision to focus on his family at this time," Bird said in a statement. "I am grateful to have served Iowans alongside my friend Adam, and I have no doubt that he will continue to impact the lives of many in his future endeavors."

House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, also thanked Gregg for his service.

"Time with family is precious, and I hope he’s able to enjoy more time without the constraints of statewide elected office," she wrote on social media.

Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, wished Gregg and his family the best and thanked him for his service.

"I am keenly aware of the unique requirements demanded of public servants and the constraints those requirements put on the time we are able to spend with loved ones," she said in a statement. "Stepping away from public life is never an easy decision, but I commend the lieutenant governor in choosing to focus his time and efforts on his family."

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Adam Gregg resigns as Iowa's lieutenant governor to focus on family