Boise, ID – Idaho State Senator John McGee resigned Wednesday over allegations of sexual harassment.
The accusations of sexual harassment come from a legislative staffer. Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill met with the woman on Monday.
Brent Hill: “I immediately reassigned the attaché to another position within the Senate. In this situation, my first priority is to ensure the safe, secure and professional work environment of our Senate employees.”
Hill said his second priority is to protect the integrity and institution of the Senate. Democrats, such as Les Bock, the Assistant Minority Leader, agreed.
Les Bock: “Certainly, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the majority party. And believe that the institution of the Senate must be protected and we must continue our work.”
Wednesday, Senator John McGee submitted his resignation to Hill. Senate Republicans announced McGee’s resignation after a caucus meeting later that day. Majority Leader Bart Davis said everyone in that meeting prayed.
Bart Davis: “I’ve been in that caucus for fourteen years and that’s as solemn a caucus as I have ever been involved in.”
McGee held on to his Senate leadership post even though he was arrested for drunk driving last May. Although the vote was confidential, a number of Senate Republicans publicly disagreed with his retention as Majority Caucus Chairman. McGee has not admitted any wrongdoing in the sexual harassment case. Hill has asked the Idaho Attorney General’s Office to review these allegations.
Copyright 2012 Boise State Public Radio