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16 legislators in a dozen states are out since #MeToo began

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Seven months after the #MeToo movement began, state lawmakers across the country are still grappling with how to root out what many say is a longstanding misogynist culture in statehouses. After dozens of sexual harassment accusations against sitting male state lawmakers, at least 16 legislators in a dozen states have resigned or been expelled, according to a Stateline tally.

In many states, accused lawmakers were knocked from leadership posts, or voluntarily relinquished them, while remaining in office. Others apologized and kept their positions, or maintain their innocence.

As many legislative sessions end, many of the substantial policy changes that state lawmakers were hoping for — such as creating a private and safe method for victims to come forward and a nonpartisan way for bad behavior to be punished — remain elusive.

Many female state lawmakers, as well as consultants working to help legislatures prevent harassment, say there is still a long way to go before women feel entirely safe reporting harassment, and before men who engage in harassment or assault are held accountable. […]

State lawmakers this year have mostly focused on “low-hanging fruit,” said Andrea Johnson, senior counsel for state policy at the National Women’s Law Center. At least 11 legislative chambers have updated their harassment policies. At least three of those policies now explain that everyone who works in, or visits, the statehouse is protected from harassment.

In at least a dozen states, legislatures have begun hosting more in-depth or frequent anti-harassment trainings. And at least three states — Delaware, Illinois and Virginia — enacted laws to make this training mandatory. […]

One thing, at least, has changed: Some more senior female state lawmakers say they no longer hesitate to speak out when they see what they perceive to be harassment.

Are you noticing any changes?

* Related…

* Republicans Still Seek Candidate To Challenge Villivalam In November: Niles Township Republican Committeeman Chris Hanusiak said a suitable candidate has not yet been found to run against Ram Villivalam who defeated incumbent State Sen. Ira Silverstein in the March 20 Gubernatorial Primary.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 11, 18 @ 11:11 am

Comments

—a suitable candidate has not yet been found to run against Ram Villivalam—

He got 52% and defeated the incumbent by 21 points, while in a four-way primary in a democratic stronghold district. It’s no surprise that the GOP is having trouble finding a candidate to fall on the sword. Then again, they have a Nazi as their nominee in the 3rd CD, so they have that going for them.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 11, 18 @ 11:19 am
well, in another state, the AG is gone. but the wheels of justice grind slowly, and Charlie Rose wants a talk show. if you want to rant about this topic, watch the most recent episode of Samantha Bee’s Full Frontal. she’s epic in her appropriate anger towards famous men who have been found to be abusers.

Comment by Amalia Friday, May 11, 18 @ 11:22 am
Ira can be listed among legislators who were defeated due to #MeToo.

Comment by anon2 Friday, May 11, 18 @ 11:39 am
The hypocracy.
We’ve unmasked so many who’ve paraded as virtuous pro-feminists, it’s horrible. The Troglydites were donating millions, supporting the “enlightened” candidates and cruising for victims at the same time.

It’s all very disheartening.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, May 11, 18 @ 11:48 am
The death of patronage has resulted in more uncontested legislative races. Back in the day, the GOP would probably find a tollway employee/precinct captain and promise him a promotion if he agreed “to take one for the team” and hop into an uphill senate race.

Now, it’s hard to find a candidate willing to run in a Democratic district in a Democratic year who is capable of getting 1,000 legit signatures in less than a month, with no promise of a consolation prize.

Comment by Telly Friday, May 11, 18 @ 11:48 am
i think the most important thing about #metoo is imagining the possibility where sexual harassment and sexism in general in politics could be over, that there could be consequences, that the men who tried to exclude us or take advantage of us could be gone someday. It never really seemed possible before this.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 11, 18 @ 12:12 pm
Yes and no, but so far, mostly no. It’s very disheartening to see one of the worst offending senators still strutting the hallways, and no, I’m not talking about Ira. You’d think that he would change his behavior, but no, I see him pulling the same old tricks and ladies avoid getting on the elevator with him or being alone with him in a hallway.

But I also really appreciate the hope in 12:12 Anon’s post. It makes me hopeful, too, and reminds me that reform can take time.

Comment by Miss Marie Friday, May 11, 18 @ 12:34 pm
Still waiting for TRUmp to set down.

Comment by gdubya Friday, May 11, 18 @ 4:10 pm