An ethics investigation has been opened in the Missouri House of Representatives after a representative from Springfield, MO sent an obscene message to a female colleague during a sit-in on the House floor.
The message was sent by Representative Jeremy Dean to Representative Cecelie Williams during a debate over the new congressional district map.
The message described Republicans engaging in an oral sex act with President Donald Trump and questioned how they could talk while doing it.
Representative Williams confirmed that she received the obscene text message, but declined to interview due to the ethic committee’s rules of confidentiality.
However, Williams did call the text “unwanted and unappreciated”, saying “the message has absolutely no place in the Missouri legislature or any other workplace”.
Representative Dean declined an interview request, also citing the committee’s rules of confidentiality and saying he was worried about his personal safety.
A screenshot of Dean’s text to Williams became public after State Representative Adam Schwadron shared it on social media, sparking outrage towards Dean.
House Minority Leader and Kansas City representative Ashley Aune reportedly removed Representative Dean from his committee assignments after learning about the text.
Aune voiced her disappointment in Dean’s actions, but argued that “it was probably not even the worst thing sent between members that day.”
Representative Aune also stated that if Missouri House Republicans try to make an example of Dean, who is a Democratic Representative, she and her caucus members will respond.
Photo courtesy of the ‘Jeremy Dean for Missouri’ Facebook page.