This story was originally published on MinnesotaReformer.com [1]
Licensed under Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 [2]
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Independent investigation into Senate harassment claim to begin with Senate GOP support
By: ['Ricardo Lopez', 'More From Author', '- August'], Minnesota Reformer
Date: None
An independent investigation will begin into the handling of sexual harassment claims by Senate DFL leaders, Senate Secretary Cal Ludeman said Thursday.
Senate GOP leaders expressed their support for the investigation, their first public statements on the matter since the Reformer first published the allegations last week.
“Senate Republicans support an independent investigation into the claims made by a former staffer to determine whether Senate policy was followed, whether individuals in power took responsible actions to stop harassment, and what changes may be necessary to ensure this does not happen again,” according to a joint statement released by Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, and other Republican senators. “The claims made by a former staffer were difficult and heartbreaking to learn about.”
The statement said that updates to the Senate’s sexual harassment policy will follow if warranted. “If an independent investigation shows additional changes are necessary, we will work to ensure every Senate employee has a safe and respectful workplace,” the statement said.
DFL Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday said he supported an independent investigation, adding that his office has launched a review of state government’s reporting processes for discrimination and harassment.
“I believe when they tell and if this was the case, we need to find out why it wasn’t investigated,” Walz told Forum News Service.
DFL senators and staff have been publicly critical of its handling. Dozens of House and Senate DFL staffers circulated letters in support of Cynthia Callais, who accused a DFL operative of harassment. Clay Schwartzwalter is half brother to state Sen. Jason Isaacson, DFL-Shoreview, and he worked as campaign manager for Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent, DFL-Woodbury.
On Tuesday, Kent formally called for an outside investigation into the handling of the claim.
Kent and Isaacson face a call for them to resign their leadership posts from one DFL colleague, Sen. Jerry Newton of Coon Rapids.
“So that the Senate caucus or the leadership of the caucus does not become a campaign issue along with defund the police, critical race theory or Rep. (John) Thompson, I suggest Susan and Ike tender their resignation from leadership,” Newton wrote in an email to his colleagues on Wednesday. “The caucus can then discuss whether to endorse them or whether to have others delegated to lead.”
Kent declined to comment on Newton’s email, and Isaacson did not return a request for comment.
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