* Shaw Newspapers on September 20, 2018…

State Rep. Jerry Long gave his account Wednesday of an incident that brought about harassment allegations, admitting he touched a former co-worker’s neck, but saying he doesn’t believe he did anything wrong.

A spokeswoman for the House Republican Organization said Long’s story doesn’t match what was found in an independent investigation and that the organization has a zero tolerance policy for harassment.

Last week, the House Republican Organization asked the Streator Republican to resign, and the organization, along with the Illinois Republican Party, withdrew support of his campaign. Other state lawmakers, including Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, and Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, who either share or have adjacent districts to Long’s 76th, have asked for his resignation.

Long said he will not resign. He is opposed in the November election by Democrat Lance Yendock, of Ottawa, in a race considered a battleground between the two parties.

Last month, state Rep. Nick Sauer, R-Lake Barrington, resigned following a report of accusations he sent nude photos of an ex-girlfriend to other men online. Both Sauer and Long were first elected to the House in 2016.

Durkin truly stepped up on Long and Sauer. And both of those guys represented targeted districts that the Democrats ended up winning in November.

I don’t care what the national “trend” is, principles should come before politics.

Just sayin…