AP story here :
Rep. Don Shooter is believed to be the first state lawmaker in the U.S. to be voted out of his seat since the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct began last fall.
Thursday’s vote comes after an outside investigator determined that Shooter engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment that created a hostile workplace.
Shooter says he’s done nothing to justify expulsion. He made a last-ditch effort to avoid a vote by sending a letter questioning the thoroughness of the report that found evidence of pervasive misconduct.
Republican House Speaker J.D. Mesnard had sought a censure but moved to expel Shooter after receiving the letter. He says Shooter’s comments represented a clear act of retaliation and harassment worthy of expulsion.
90 minutes earlier:
Female members of the Arizona House from Republican and Democratic parties have gathered in an emotional moment in advance of a vote that could lead to the expulsion of a male member that a report found violated sexual harassment rules.
In the center of the group was Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, whose complaint against fellow Republican Rep. Don Shooter prompted Thursday’s action.
Republican Rep. Kelly Townsend says she told members they could silently pray ands then told them “today is going to separate the politician from the statesmen, or stateswomen.”
Shooter says he won’t resign but accepts responsibility for boorish behavior and won’t fight a censure.
So he thought he was gonna get a scolding and he was gonna take it, but his own words pushed the body over the edge and they voted to expel him.
See how fast change happens in the 21st century?
BigT
February 2, 2018, 7:58am
2
Just to be clear, from further down, the letter he sent claimed that the report was incomplete because there was another allegation left out–against another congressman. Hence it was seen as retaliatory action, almost like a thread to that congressman.
And, on a person note, it’s also nice to see the tu quoque argument fail so spectacularly. What someone else did would not matter when investigating what he did.
