After more than three years, Marco Diaz has stepped down as chairman of the Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly.

The resignation came in an e-mail to assembly members late Wednesday night after Diaz had been shouted down in a community meeting.

He had been trying to explain the position of the Utah Hispanic Legislative Task Force, of which he is a member, in "reluctant support" of a Senate bill that would repeal a law giving undocumented immigrants drivers' licenses and would instead create a driving privilege card that couldn't be used for identificiation.

"Finally, today was a very difficult day," Diaz said in the e-mail. "There are simply those in our community who simply try to bring others down instead of working together for the common good."

Some in the Hispanic community had speculated that community pressure had led to Diaz's decision.

However, Diaz told the Deseret Morning News Friday that, while the pressure may have had an impact on his decision "to some degree," it was a transition he'd been planning for some time. He said he wanted to spend more time with his three children.

His wife, Yvette Diaz, was recently appointed to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s Cabinet to head up the proposed community and arts department, which requires legislative approval.

"Our kids can't have two extremely active parents," Diaz said.

Utah Republican Party Chairman Joe Cannon, said he was "very sorry" that Diaz was stepping down. He said Diaz took a Hispanic assembly in need of revitalization and "built a tremendous foundation." "The Republican Party increased the number of Hispanic voters in each of the last three election cycles," Cannon said.

Diaz said he'll remain at his job in Rep. Chris Cannon's local office, and will remain active with the assembly.

"Over the past several years we have worked together to try to make a difference for our community and try to lay a strong foundation to our organization . . . it has been very hard work, but worth it if we have made a difference in just one life," Diaz said in the e-mail. "I know there is still much work to be done, but I am tired."

The e-mail said a new leader will be elected in the next few months.

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com