Idaho Lawmaker Resigns Amid Party Pressure

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Republican Rep. Mark Patterson says he'll resign from the Idaho Legislature, a day after party colleagues from his district in Boise urged him to quit.

Patterson said yesterday he'll hand in his resignation to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter this week. On Tuesday, members of the GOP District 15 precinct committee voted unanimously to ask Patterson to quit. That's after revelations in early November that he pleaded guilty in a 1974 rape case in Florida. They came to light after the local sheriff revoked Patterson's concealed weapons permit — on grounds he didn't disclose the criminal case on his application.

Patterson believes he's being retaliated against. Still, in a brief statement, Patterson agreed with the District 15 committee: In the current climate, his ability to serve had been called into question.