Colorado’s Republican Party issued a statement Friday night asserting the party’s right to appoint a successor to Democratic state Rep.
Colorado’s Republican Party issued a statement Friday night asserting the party’s right to appoint a successor to Democratic state Rep. Steve Lebsock, who switched parties to become a Republican minutes before being ousted from the state legislature over sexual harassment claims.
In a tweet Friday night, the party seemed to suggest that officials had not made a decision over whether to appoint Lebsock’s replacement, or let the decision be handled by Colorado’s Gov. John Hickenlooper (D).
“Our HD 34 Vacancy Committee has the right to fill the vacancy. Whether it chooses to do so is another question. If it declines to act within 30 days, the gov gets to fill the vacancy. Because Lebsock was a Dem when he committed his misdeeds, the VC could decline to fill his seat,” the party tweeted.
Our HD 34 Vacancy Committee has the right to fill the vacancy. Whether it chooses to do so is another question. If it declines to act within 30 days, the gov gets to fill the vacancy. Because Lebsock was a Dem when he committed his misdeeds, the VC could decline to fill his seat. — The Colorado GOP (@cologop) March 3,2018
Lebsock was removed from the Colorado House on Friday by a vote of 54-9, with his own party largely turning against him in the wake of accusations he sexually harassed fellow state Rep. Faith Winter (D) and two other women.
Two other Democrats in the legislature revealed Friday they had been wearing bulletproof vests to work for weeks over their outspoken support for Lebsock’s accusers.
Under state law, if a member of the legislature is removed from office, their party chooses the replacement. State Democrats told 9 News that they were “looking into” which party would have the right to choose Lebsock’s replacement, but were confident that a Democrat would hold the seat after November’s elections.
“Statement from @coloradodems party switcheroo: “As far as @RepLebsock goes, the Republicans can have him,” 9 news reporter Marshall Zelinger tweeted. “As far as the seat, we’re looking into it. Either way, we’re confident the district will be represented by a Democrat by the time the next session begins. #coleg #copolitics.”
Statement from @coloradodems party switcheroo: “As far as @RepLebsock goes, the Republicans can have him. As far as the seat, we’re looking into it. Either way, we’re confident the district will be represented by a Democrat by the time the next session begins.” #coleg #copolitics — Marshall Zelinger (@Marshall9News) March 3,2018
A spokesman for Colorado’s GOP did not immediately return a request for comment on whether the GOP would pursue a replacement for Lebsock.
Lebsock, a three-term Democrat who remains as candidate to be Colorado’s state treasurer, has denied the charges, even going as far to distribute a dossier that detailed personal information about his accusers. He refused repeated calls to resign his seat before his ouster Friday.
