* LA Times…
A state legislator who was groped by a male lobbyist weeks after she was sworn into office. A legislative staffer-turned-lobbyist who for years would only wear pantsuits in order to project a “business-only” air. A government affairs director who faced inappropriate advances from an associate in full view of male colleagues who seemed oblivious as it happened.
As Hollywood takes a hard look at itself in the wake of the spiraling Harvey Weinstein sexual misconduct scandal, the women of California politics are publicly declaring: Us too.
More than 140 women — including legislators, Capitol staff, political consultants and lobbyists — signed a letter calling out the “pervasive” culture of sexual harassment and mistreatment that plagues their industry.
The signatories include six of 26 women in the Legislature, two retired lawmakers, a Board of Equalization member and officials from the state Democratic and Republican parties.
The full letter is here.
* Our old pal Dan Vock at Governing Magazine…
“Each of us has endured, or witnessed or worked with women who have experienced some form of dehumanizing behavior by men with power in our workplaces. Men have groped and touched us without our consent, made inappropriate comments about our bodies and our abilities. Insults and sexual innuendo, frequently disguised as jokes, have undermined our professional positions and capabilities,” the women wrote. “Men have made promises, or threats, about our jobs in exchange for our compliance, or our silence. They have leveraged their power and positions to treat us however they would like.”
Lawmakers in other states have spoken out as well. In Rhode Island, for example, a handful of political leaders added their own messages, as reported in the Providence Journal. “I can say that as an elected official, as a state representative I have experienced this first-hand,” state Rep. Teresa Tanzi told the newspaper. “I have been told sexual favors would allow my bills to go further.”
Such descriptions could apply to many other statehouses as well. So far this year, sexual harassment scandals have roiled state capitols in Iowa, Nevada, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Those incidents resulted in secret settlements, a seven-figure jury award and the departure of at least four state lawmakers, on top of the personal consequences for the victims. […]
For years, researchers and advocates thought that simply increasing the number of women in politics would reduce the amount of harassment and violence they encountered. But that hasn’t turned out to be the case, even in places where the numbers of women in high government office have been on the rise, says Mona Lena Krook a Rutgers political science professor. “The resistance to women’s participation has just taken new forms,” she says. “There’s been a pushback against women’s inclusion.” […]
At least 37 of the country’s 99 state legislative chambers had a written policy on sexual harassment in 2016, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. But those policies vary widely in their substance and effectiveness.
Go read the whole thing.
Your own thoughts and/or experiences?
- SaulGoodman - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 10:55 am:
I’ve never worked in another state capitol, so I can’t compare how bad Springfield is compared to other Capitols.
But the environment in Springfield is incredibly toxic. Women are treated terribly in and around the Capitol, on campaigns, etc. It’s disgusting.
Talk to any woman in Springfield, and she’s probably been grabbed, hit on, asked to come back to a hotel room, etc. And its from conservatives, liberals, and everyone in-between.
- anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:05 am:
No industry is good at this.
But being at the statehouse reminds me how much I would hate time travel. It’s on a whole other level.
- PJ - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:06 am:
I watched a certain former GOP rep who lost his last job for this exact thing grope a fellow legislator in front of several members of leadership and take a picture doing it as a “joke”. She was one of two women in an office full of men.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:07 am:
People say in jest what they’d really like to say in earnest. Ever heard that? True
- Swift - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:11 am:
Perpetrators have to be named, while I appreciate the #MeToo sentiment, nothing will change unless perpetrators are called out publically.
Unfortunately, the cynic in me forces me to believe part of the celebrity and politician response may be part of self aggrandizement, I hope not, but both industries are on the record on expressing outrage for outrages sake.
I don’t know if this is a benefit or harm by the use of hashtags, but I’m pretty sure a political consultant is using metrics to advise their clients on crafting response to various outrages. Unfortunately with most one outrage just replaces another outrage and not much is being done for any.
- Welp - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:11 am:
It’s about power. And yep, even at the 2nd n Capitol and also out at the bars and functions, many men, basically on vacation from their families, seem to think they have the entitlement to women. Look at the IDOC (FORMER REP) chief who lost his job for jacking w a woman at the Xmas party last year.
It’s a problem. A big one.
- Not quite a majority - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:11 am:
I won’t mention names (because the person is deceased) but while I was 8 months pregnant a prominent legislator walked up to me at the 3rd Floor Rail and proceeded to rub his hand up and down my spine. I wasn’t alone, I was talking with other individuals. When the legislator left one of people with me asked if I was ‘OK’, wasn’t I freaked out. I was slightly freaked out but more than that I was resigned. What could I have done (which is the question every woman asks). We aren’t instructed how to deal with physical assault when it’s not on the level of criminal action. I wasn’t able to step forward because of my belly and the brass rail in front of it. I could have stepped to the side, but someone was standing there and it would have drawn even more attention to the action. I guess I could have said ‘please don’t do that’, but what would have been the repercussions (remember, prominent legislator –> lowly woman lobbyist). I hope there will be a discussion, one where women come forward and one where men see that Harvey Weinstein is everywhere all the time and we need to learn how to address it going forward.
- X - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:12 am:
The status symbol of married legislators and lobbyists to have a Springfield side piece is laughable. Hopefully other states aren’t as bad.
- Thomas Paine - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:16 am:
First, good for them.
Many lobbyists, former staffers, and atleast a few lawmakers posted some pretty jarring statements during the #MeToo campaign.
Things have gotten better with the advent of social media and the departure of certain lawmakers who were the worst offenders.
There are still far, far too many legislators that think it’s okay to hit on female lobbyists and even staffers. Especially and particularly married men. They believe that their positions will protect them from being exposed, and they will continue to believe that until leadership sets their foot down with a zero tolerance policy.
I can’t imagine there is a single female lobbyist or legislative staffer in Springfield that hasn’t been harassed.
I hope I am wrong.
- X - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:17 am:
It makes for a great film script. Of which we could all write.
- PJ - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:19 am:
===I can’t imagine there is a single female lobbyist or legislative staffer in Springfield that hasn’t been harassed.===
Correct. It’s seriously like the 1950’s down there. Right down to the fact that, somehow, nearly every legislative assistant is female. So you’ve got that old-timey dynamic of the powerful men and their “secretaries”.
I love LAs, by the way. They’re great. The dynamic is not their fault. But it’s still jarring to witness.
- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:22 am:
When running a state agency’s legislative shop I found young female legislative liaisons to be favorite targets of some male lawmakers who tell young female liaisons, they can get them a high paying lobbying gig or a raise from the Gov’s Office.
Thankfully, most of them listened to me and some senior staff who warned them about the wolves who would be waiting for them as they as they started they careers under the dome.
For this reason I’ve never tried to encourage my daughters toward a lobbying or liaison job.
- Duh - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:23 am:
The fabricated stories of legislators bragging to colleagues about sexual conquests are damning to the reputations of the subject they wish to claim. Their egos speak volumes about their character.
Also, it should be noted that many female and married female legislators are just a guilty of hooking up with male staffers, lobbyists, and married colleagues.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:28 am:
This isn’t just at the Capitol. It is also trickles into leadership of State Agencies.
- Right of First Night - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:28 am:
State house is just a toxic place for anyone. Too much power. Would term limits fix this?
- Swift - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:30 am:
I’m just waiting for a someone from the GA to come forward and Rauner blaming Madigan for allowing it to happen. I’m pretty sure by the end of the week both will happen.
- Leatherneck - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:30 am:
The day before the 2012 primary, there was an entire thread on here devoted to Sam Cahnman’s issues over the years:
https://capitolfax.com/2012/03/19/my-state-fair-story/
Cahnman (then Ward 5 Springfield alderman) was one of the Democrats vying for the newly remapped 96th House seat which was ultimately won by Sue Scherer.
- Anon - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:34 am:
It’s not limited to elected officials. It is even more prevalent among staffers, consultants, organizers and volunteers. There is a deep-seated frat-house atmosphere in many of the most “progressive” campaigns and organizations. There are campaign managers I refuse to work with even if their candidates are gold, because of past harassment. Many elected officials and organizers pay lip-service to the issue but do nothing when they witness, experience or are told of sexual harassment in their own organizations.
- Imagine - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:35 am:
The job is hard enough. I couldn’t imagine being a female.
Power is a cancer
- Illinilaw - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:35 am:
As a young lobbyist long ago when there were far fewer women in the ranks, I met one of the true gentleman, Bud Kelley. Bud took me under his wing and guided me. I am convinced that without him at my side and as a mentor I was partially protected from this. Rest in peace Bud, you were one of a kind.
- TMI - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:37 am:
== Perpetrators have to be named ==
Unfortunately, I think that’s true. But I’m afraid I don’t have the nerve to do it. Which, of course, is what they count on.
It does make me respect the male legislators who don’t engage in the practice all the more. Maybe we should just give the “good” ones a shout out and the “bad” ones will be exposed by the process of elimination.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:39 am:
===Would term limits fix this? ===
LOL. No. Google: Sexting Missouri House Speaker
- Liberty - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:42 am:
I want to give a shout out to the many solid and wonderful men who are lobbyists, legislators and staffers who are not only ethical, moral and good by DNA, but have also stepped in to stop such poor behavior when witnessed. Those men should not be tainted by any fallacies coming out of this dialogue. Thinking of names, I come up with more good than bad. I am a better person for knowing them.
- anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:42 am:
==it should be noted that many female and married female legislators are just a guilty of hooking up with male staffers, lobbyists, and married colleagues==
oh, THANK YOU for being so scrupulous to note this (dubious) fact
Also, it should be noted that “hooking up” isn’t rape or sexual harassment and that if you find yourself confusing these things you are probably part of the problem.
- BothSidesofHisMouth - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:52 am:
Swift:
“Perpetrators have to be named, while I appreciate the #MeToo sentiment, nothing will change unless perpetrators are called out publically.”
Oh my goodness. I should have thought of that. I’ll just write a tell-all that names 50% of the men in the GA as sexually charged creeps and clients (many of which are also men) will be knocking down my door to hire me. Our jobs depend on our ability to make nice with these elected officials despite disagreements on policy. When you have to always avoid a certain legislator, and then legislatorS, your ability to lobby starts to get a bit sparse.
Duh:==it should be noted that many female and married female legislators are just a guilty of hooking up with male staffers, lobbyists, and married colleagues==
And thanks to Anonymous at 11:42 for pointing this out, but yeah - women (and men) engaging in mutually consensual behavior (even if in horrible judgement/taste/morals) is pretty much the opposite of what we are discussing here. We are talking about unwanted, uninvited, and inappropriate sexual comments, touching and worse and often it is happening right in the Statehouse in front of other people.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:52 am:
My thought is that I wouldn’t share my own experiences of harrassment on this website, given the testosterone heavy nature of the comments section. I’m grateful to those who have shared and impressed that Rich opened a post on this topic.
- PJ - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:55 am:
The problem is not married people “hooking up”.
The problem is *unwanted* sexual advances and harassment. I don’t care what two consenting adults do, and shame on whoever doesn’t understand the difference between that and sexual harassment.
- Not the other Anon - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:59 am:
Harassers/Assaulters are in full pucker mode. Dreading their name come up in social media….with lawyers in pursuit. Heard a description of Harvey W - “he looks like chewed gum covered in cat hair”. Meow….😡
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 12:11 pm:
This will get some politicians whistling past the graveyard.
As we’ve seen over the years with a number of individuals and institutions, once the dam breaks, the flood follows.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 12:11 pm:
Remember this?
Chicago Tribune Morning Spin: Rauner cracks wise into hot mic before Facebook Live …
Feb 15, 2017 - Bruce Rauner’s more frequent use of Facebook Live as a … risks, like comments that can be picked up by a hot microphone before the show begins. … an off-camera female aide, saying, “You’ve got that good red dress going.”
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 12:15 pm:
“And yes, Governor, you have me in full barf mode.”
- jim - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 12:22 pm:
the governor commented favorably on a woman’s dress?
if that’s not a crime against humanity, what is?
- anon2 - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 1:02 pm:
I recall two former male reps, one from each party and both married, who would hit on attractive young lobbyists who weren’t looking for sex. Both had well-deserved reputations as letches.
- nadia - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 1:35 pm:
As a HR type told me; in today’s work world, in addition to minding your offensive tongue, touching another is almost always a bad thing. Hate to see a pat on the back being construed as offensive but excessive use of ones body parts to communicate with others is akin to the running off at the mouth. The fix for one, don’t say it, should be applied to the other; don’t touch, grab, bump, or feel it.
As far “hooking up”, an attempt at a consensual situation could easily be viewed as harassment or creating a hostile work environment. People do not walk around with a “willing to hook-up” badge on.
Again those in power feel guarded by the power they believe they possess.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 1:52 pm:
Not sure about harassment, but demeaning. Would this be asked of a male reporter?
From the Trib (10/18/17):
The governor also has not taken questions from journalists since May 14. This week, after leaving a private meeting with Republican lawmakers, a Chicago Tribune reporter got in an elevator with Rauner and several aides and asked the governor a series of questions about the state budget Democrats were preparing. Rauner didn’t answer, but eventually looked at the reporter and said, “Can I give you a hug?” The reporter declined.
- Rayne of Terror - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 1:57 pm:
The only thing that personally happened to me was a Chicago senator leered at me and said something laden with innuendo during new staff introductions in Emil Jones’ office. It was embarrassing and there were lots of my new coworkers and bosses there. I never had to work with him. I wonder if Cindy took a mental note that day. Other than that I did not observe senators behaving badly with staff. I adored the main senators I worked with. Lobbyists on the other hand. Whoo wee. They aren’t my stories to tell, but I saw some bad outcomes for young women staffers during my 3 years there.
- anon - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 2:49 pm:
It comes from all sectors. Legislators, staffers both senior and junior, lobbyists. The stories I could tell. And the stories that my female friends have shared with me over the years. It comes from nice guys who don’t get that they are being inappropriate. It also comes from not nice guys who do it to demean and bully. In a profession where your good relationships are your stock in trade, it is especially hard to speak out. But I know of a couple of brave women who have, and one person who lost his job because of it. About time.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 2:51 pm:
jim- “the governor commented favorably on a woman’s dress?
if that’s not a crime against humanity, what is?”
Jim, what would your response had been if Rauner had said to a male aide, ” “You’ve got that good brown suit going,” ??? Think about it.
- KA - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 3:21 pm:
I’m a young, female staffer. I haven’t experienced sexual harassment during work, but sexual harassment at bars on session nights is rampant.
On one occasion earlier this year, I was sitting at a bar talking to friends when a recently retired Republican legislator now lobbyist drunkenly emerged from the bathroom and came up to me and started touching me and trying to get me to go into the bathroom with him. After I repeatedly turned him down, he finally left me alone.
The next day I saw him at a different bar and he told me I looked familiar. I said it’s because we’d met the night before when he tried to get me to go to the bathroom with him. It felt good to call him out.
Christine Pelosi’s quote about Sacramento accurately describes Springfield: “It’s almost as if it’s a different world in the state Capitol. They’re not at home. This is not behavior by and large that they would engage in at home. They’re almost at camp or something.”
- Amalia - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 3:38 pm:
fine line to walk just to try and do your job. go out at night a bit dressed up, and you are a bad girl. don’t go out at night at all, and you are accused of being unfriendly. then you get to the campaigns and the grabbing is blatant because somehow that workplace is seen as just a big meet/meat market.
- BothSidesofHisMouth - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 4:35 pm:
I have literally been told “Well, I know there are ways you could convince me if you REALLY wanted to change my mind.” Said by a rep who is still in office. And I just uncomfortably laughed and said something like “I prefer to win my arguments on the merits…” and quickly gathered my stuff… I could have called him out, but this was just one of many exchanges similar. If you indicate even subtly that they are crossing a line - they don’t cower. They get angry. These legislators mostly have egos that are much bigger than their tiny Stratton Bldg offices. If I indicate they are being inappropriate, they make sure I know that it was me who misunderstood. And then - what doesn’t get said but doesn’t have to - there’s the reality that I will never get their ear on anything going forward and if they can afford to side opposite of my client without offending their base - they probably will. Sometimes its subtle and not even realized by the men who are doing, but sometimes it is completely blatant and malicious and they honestly believe they are entitled to act that way.
- Miss Marie - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 4:48 pm:
It wasn’t surprising at all to see so many female colleagues posting #Metoo this past week. The Capitol is a frat house. As much as we want to go further and name names it, we already know what it will do to our careers.
I’m not going to lie either. I was hoping someone would be daring enough to name their harasser in the comments. I know if I share mine, I’d hear an echo of me too’s.
So I guess we’re going to stick to what we’ve been doing–Being grateful to our mentors who keep us out of harms way by pointing out who to stay away from–rehearsing funny one-liners to ward off any unwanted advances so we’re not punished for not being cool–making up an excuse to pull away younger staff and interns to save them from the predators–asking a male colleague to come with you so you’re not in an office alone with certain men.
Imagine what we would accomplish if we didn’t have to think up all these strategies and could just focus on our actual work.
- Langhorne - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 5:04 pm:
Yrs ago, a secretary gave an std to a legislator. He wanted her fired. A reporter called him, and said, as long as she wasnt punished, it wasnt a story. Message received.
- Fantasma - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 8:35 pm:
I posted “Me too” on my Facebook page, but it wasn’t for what I’ve endured in Springfield. As I read this post I got sick to my stomach, because there are countless times that I’ve had to put up with inappropriate behavior in Springfield, and it’s so rampant that I didn’t even think of it when I posted “me too”. This post brought them all back to me and quite honestly has pissed me off.
- Priscilla - Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:12 pm:
When I started lobbying in 1993, my new boss told me that we would always go to receptions together. If there was dinner with a legislator, we’d go together, never alone. I have avoided hanging out with legislators at staff at bars. At receptions or fund raisers, I have no more than one drink. Perhaps these decisions have meant I’ve lost some opportunities to build relationships, but I don’t want to deal with the crap. When I have met women new to Springfield, I’ve told them that they are welcome to come over and hang out with me at receptions, etc. because there is safety in numbers. I doubt my male colleagues think about these things.
- Miss Marie - Thursday, Oct 19, 17 @ 8:35 am:
Priscilla “I doubt my male colleagues think about these things.”
For the most part–no. I’ve had male colleagues roll their eyes at me when they’ve tried to pass off a difficult legislator onto me. They don’t want to deal with them because they’re annoying. And they think I’m doing the same, when in reality, I don’t want to put myself in a bad situation.
I’ve also had friends who were oblivious and left me alone when Sam Cahnman would come over, even though everyone knew what he was like.
With that being said, I do know a few men who have been sexually harassed themselves, so it does happen on both sides.
- anonymous - Thursday, Oct 19, 17 @ 8:44 am:
==I do know a few men who have been sexually harassed themselves, so it does happen on both sides.==
Sure…but not by powerful women in Springfield, right?
- Miss Marie - Thursday, Oct 19, 17 @ 12:14 pm:
“Sure…but not by powerful women in Springfield, right?”
Right
- BothSidesofHisMouth - Thursday, Oct 19, 17 @ 12:40 pm:
Actually, while the problem is 95% women being harassed by men in the Statehouse… I know of a former female HD rep who was VERY pushy with young male staffers in a sexual way. It was bad enough and frequent enough that it was talked about amongst staff until she was gone (I think she got mapped out).