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Law

Iowa GOP accepts campaign fund of disgraced ex-Senate leader

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The abrupt downfall of Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix became a cash windfall for the Republican Party of Iowa.

The party accepted a $522,000 contribution from Dix's campaign on March 26, two weeks after the Shell Rock farmer quit the Legislature.

Dix resigned after the Iowa Starting Line published video of the married lawmaker kissing a lobbyist in a Des Moines bar. Republican leaders said they were disappointed in Dix's behavior.

Dix had previously faced criticism after the state paid a $1.75 million settlement to former Senate GOP communications director Kirsten Anderson, who was fired after complaining about sexual harassment.

Anderson said Tuesday that Dix should have considered giving the money to the general fund to offset the settlement costs, which is allowed by state law.

Party spokesman Jesse Dougherty defended the move, saying "the money was raised to help elect and defend a Republican majority this fall."

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