William Petroski

bpetrosk@dmreg.com

Melissa Gesing, the president of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women, says she is resigning her post because she cannot support Donald Trump for president.

In a letter dated Tuesday to the group's executive committee, Gesing, a veteran political operative from Brooklyn, wrote that she was submitting her resignation with a heavy heart because she could not adequately fulfill the duties of her position.

"While I am still a Republican and plan to work hard for our down ballot GOP candidates, I cannot fulfill our mission 'To elect Republicans at all level of government' with Trump as our party's nominee," Gesing wrote.

"I will do all I can to ensure a smooth transition in leadership, and this is truly a last resort for me," Gesing added. "I cannot in good conscience lead this organization or look at myself in the mirror each morning if I do not take a stand against the racism, sexism and hate that Donald J. Trump continues to promote."

Video released on Friday shows Trump making comments claiming he attempted to sleep with a married woman and suggesting his celebrity status allowed him to grab women’s genitalia. The comments were captured on a live microphone during the filming of a television show in 2005.

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Gesing is among several Iowa Republican leaders who have said in recent days they won't support Trump. Bob Vander Plaats, president and chief executive officer of The Family Leader, which has hosted events for Republican presidential candidates, tweeted on Saturday that Trump "should focus on saving family, beating Hillary, and preserving our country by resigning his candidacy."

Former U.S. Rep Greg Ganske, state Sen. Jack Whitver, and state Rep. Ken Rizer all have either called for Trump to step aside as the nominee or have said they will not vote for him.

But Iowa's Republican congressional delegation, Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, and Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann have not rescinded their support of the Republican nominee, while still denouncing his comments.

Eric Branstad, state director of Trump's Iowa campaign, issued a statement in response to Gesing's departure. "The Trump-Pence Iowa team is encouraged by the outpouring of support among Iowan women for Mr. Trump's candidacy, specifically over the past week. Our Iowa Women for Trump Coalition has grown during that time."

In interviews conducted with Iowa Trump supporters Monday, none of more than a dozen interviewed said the video made them change their mind about voting for him.