BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota lawmaker expelled for allegedly threatening and sexually harassing women at the Capitol says he will not challenge the expulsion in court. Former GOP Rep. Luke Simons said in a statement Thursday that he could not in “good conscience prioritize my legal battle over the potential outcome of important legislation for the people of North Dakota.” Simons, who has denied wrongdoing, has argued he wasn’t being afforded due process. North Dakota’s Constitution gives both chambers of the Legislature the right to expel a member with two-thirds approval.

 

Previously…

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota House has expelled a lawmaker accused of threatening and sexually harassing women at the Capitol. The resolution to expel GOP Rep. Luke Simons was approved 69-25 on Thursday. It was the first time since statehood a lawmaker has been expelled. Simons denied wrongdoing and refused Republican leaders’ calls to resign. The rancher and barber is accused of a pattern of sexually aggressive, lewd, and threatening behavior. GOP Majority Leader Chet Pollert co-sponsored the resolution to expel. He said Simons had been given “multiple chances” to avoid being expelled. Simons said he believed he would have had more support from his fellow lawmakers.

Previously

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota Republican House member facing expulsion for allegedly sexually harassing women at the Capitol told lawmakers that any of them could be in his position. A defiant Rep. Luke Simons, who has denied wrongdoing and refused to resign, blamed his accusers for “twisting my words” and lawmakers for not affording him due process.. He is accused of a pattern of sexually aggressive, lewd, and threatening behavior, dating back to shortly after he took office in 2017. Republican Rep. Emily O’Brien has said that his harassment was so pervasive that she switched desks to get away from him. A vote was expected later Thursday.

Previously

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Republican and Democratic legislative leaders are finalizing a resolution to expel a North Dakota House member accused of threatening and sexually harassing women at the state Capitol. House Majority Leader Chet Pollert says a resolution to expel GOP Rep. Luke Simons will  be introduced on the House floor Thursday. Pollert and Democratic House Minority Leader Josh Boschee said they worked together over the the Legislature’s mid-session break to craft the expulsion resolution. Simons has denied wrongdoing and declined Republican leadership’s requests to resign. He says the allegations have been “totally misconstrued and taken out of context.”