DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg announced Tuesday that he is stepping down from his post effective immediately after more than seven years in office, saying, “My time in public service must come to an end.”
Governor Kim Reynolds announced his resignation, saying in a statement that the Republican is looking for “a career opportunity that allows him to focus more on his family,” the statement said.
“It’s no surprise that he’s choosing to step down to prioritize his personal life,” Reynolds said. “Adam is a devoted husband and father, and there’s nothing more important to him than his family.”
In his statement, Gregg said he “needs to focus” on his family, which includes his wife and two children.
“My children are growing up too fast and the elected positions at the state level force me to miss more of their lives than I can accept,” he said.
Iowa law states that the governor will appoint someone to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. Reynolds indicated she will do so “later this fall.”
Reynolds, a former lieutenant governor under Gov. Terry Branstad, appointed Gregg to the position in May 2017, when Branstad was appointed U.S. ambassador to China and Reynolds became governor. The Republican ticket was elected to a full term in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022.
Gregg was the Republican nominee for attorney general in 2014, but lost to incumbent Democrat Tom Miller. He was then appointed state public defender by Branstad.