For the first time since the 1990s, a state legislator has been expelled from his seat as an Arizona lawmaker. Rep. Don Shooter is out of office after claims of sexual harassment.
This comes in the wake of a comprehensive report detailing inappropriate gestures, comments and actions Shooter made to colleagues and peers in his time at the Legislature.
The Yuma Republican was the first to speak in Thursday’s vote to expel him on the floor.
“It’s been my honor to represent the people of District 13. I have faithfully executed my duties. I have never taken bribes, I’ve never considered one way or another except on the merits of a bill," said Shooter.
At issue were not his politics but his judgment in behavior
After House Speaker J.D. Mesnard said he would move to censure Shooter, Republican Kelly Townsend asked Shooter to resign for his inappropriate behavior or she would move to expel him.
She spoke on the floor saying the attitude of allowing harassment based on appearance and gender needs to stop.
“With the cavalier attitude and the joking, it was that alone, not the process, but that alone, the admission, is what caused me to know that we were left without a choice,” Townsend said.
The vote was 56-3. Three people will be nominated to take his seat, and Shooter’s replacement will be chosen by the Yuma County Board of Supervisors.
